Posted on 09/17/2002 6:15:39 AM PDT by sushiman
For almost 20 years, Suffolk County has been slowly eroding people's rights to smoke in public. With one more measure, the butts could stop here.
A group of bipartisan lawmakers today is expected to unveil a bill that bans smoking in virtually all workplaces - including bingo halls, bowling alleys, bars and restaurants. This effort is the product of talks with officials in Nassau, Westchester and New York City to provide a regional standard for workplace smoking.
The Suffolk bill would allow smoking only in private homes and in private enclosed offices occupied exclusively by smokers. Smoking also would be permitted in outdoor seating at bars and restaurants. State and federal property are exempt from the county's jurisdiction.
In Suffolk now, smoking is limited to separate rooms in all restaurants. It is also banned within 50 feet of hospitals or public buildings and restricted in workplaces.
Brian Foley, a Democratic legislator from Blue Point, said the proposed ban is essential to protect public health and is also a workplace safety issue.
"Second-hand smoke kills tens of thousands of Americans each year and injures the health of tens of thousands more as well," said Foley, who chairs the health committee and is co-sponsoring the bill with fellow Democrat Ginny Fields of Oakdale and Presiding Officer Paul Tonna, a Republican from West Hills. "This reso- lution is going to save lives here in Suffolk County."
Foley said the proposed ban will be discussed in the next health committee meeting Oct. 2. A public hearing before the full legislature will be held Oct. 8.
In Nassau, similar legislation will be considered by the legislature at its Oct. 7 meeting, said Deputy Presiding Officer Roger Corbin (D-Westbury). Corbin, the legislature's health committee chair, said the bill he's introducing is similar to Foley's. He said legislation being considered in Westchester and New York City will be in step with those proposed on Long Island, but is moving slightly slower.
Since talks among policymakers in the downstate region became public last month, the concept of a complete ban has run into stiff opposition from restaurant and bar owners who say businesses will go belly up as customers opt to stay home to smoke in peace.
John Reyerson, owner of McGuire's Restaurant and Comedy Club in Bohemia, said he expects to lose about a third of his business if the legislation is approved. He said a complete ban would be too onerous because about four years ago the county required restaurants and bars to install separate ventilation systems and partitions to segregate smoking and nonsmoking areas.
"There is no way I'm going to recoup my investment," said Reyerson, who is also chairman of the board of directors for the Suffolk Restaurant and Tavern Association. "They are not going to come here and have a beer and watch a football game if they can't have a smoke. Why would they?"
Suffolk Legis. Fred Towle (R-Shirley) said the ban is too intrusive and takes away people's ability to make decisions. "There comes a point when government has gone too far," he said.
Like I said, the anti smoker groups sends them over.
Maybe you should start.
That's my bad memory, sorry if I offended you. I thought I remembered you writing something about living in Tokyo.
EVERY restaurant I have ever been to allows smoking , and had NO " smoking section " .
There are lots of them in Kanto. There are also lots of restaurants that don't allow smoking at all. That's as it should be -- let the restaurant owner decide. I don't know what the situation is like elsewhere, I haven't gone out much since moving to Kobe.
But then he would have nothing to complain about. :-}
You don't go to family restaurants, guess you don't much care for ankle biters........ say, why don't you have them banned.
So, in your perfect world, you can exercise choice and not frequent family restaurants; business owners, however, cannot exercise choice and accommodate smokers if they wish.
If only the smoking Nazis realized how repellent they are to adults.
Did you read any of the links put up on this thread?
Second hand smoke HAS NOT been proven to be a health hazard except to people with pre-existing health conditions.
Because someone has asthma that means that everyone in the nation should have to accomodate them specifically?
If I had asthma and knew that walking into a business would cause an attack you can bet that I wouldn't be walking into that business.
At some point you have to take personal responsibility for your own safety.
And since they assumed the risk and expense of owning and operating the business, it's their call to make.
Why don't you open a non-smoking establishment or seek out others willing to spend their time and risk their money to do so?
If there's a market for it, it'll succeed. If not, it won't.
SheLion, the poll linked above needs some serious FReepin'!
I hope that we have been able to even the odds some.
Well, THAT poll showed over 10,000 votes on the "NO" side, representing a full 96% against the measures.
What I find interesting is that in less than two weeks, Newsday has decided to run such a similar poll, only this time it reads, "Should smoking be banned in all workplaces?"
You know what I think? I think they didn't like that WHOPPING 96% "no" vote, and changed the wording to make people believe they were talking about offices and the like (where business owners should STILL be able to decide for themselves, BTW).
Now, perhaps I am a cynic, but I come by it honestly. Living in close proximity to so many socialists and RINOs will do that to ya.
Regards,
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.