Bill Aims to Ban Workplace Smoking

Newsday | 9/17/02 | J. Palmer

[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.

[twigs]

I don't usually agree with Illbay, but this time I do. And he is not an idiot, not by a long shot. When someone smokes in a public place, they take away my right to a smokeless environment. However, I believe that the militant non-smokers are going way overboard. I do believe that if a restaurant wants smoking in their establishment, then the government should not say otherwise. As a non-smoker, I can choose to go elsewhere--and will. That's what the free market is all about. However, the work place is entirely different. If a business has all smokers, then there's no reason to ban it. But I believe that anyone should have the right to work in a non-smoking environment. I currently work with a man who is allergic to everything. I can't wear perfume or microwave a lot of foods (the ones I happen to like). I once had to remove a salad that had raw onion in it. Yes, it drives me crazy, but as a fellow human being, I believe it is my responsibility to exercise a little discipline so that he has an acceptable work environment.

[RISU]

My life is much easier. When someone says "this program comes only if you do not smoke", I just walk on by.

No dollars to those who do not resepct basic property rights, including to start the fact that we own our own bodies, not the state.

...and I am not a regular smoker. But I will fight for the rights of those who are.