New York City Smokers Say 'Bye-Bye Bloomberg!'

Business Wire ^ | 2/25/2003 | Taneshia Nash Laird

[Max McGarrity]

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 24, 2003--On March 30, 2003 the Bloomberg smoke-ban arrives in New York City, and the smokers depart.

They're heading for a Bye-Bye New York City Bash at Hoboken's famous Frankie & Johnnie's Steakhouse, a place that earned its fame as a speakeasy in the '20s.

Smokers who've had it with being banned are deciding to vote with their feet.  "We're going where the bars and restaurants like our company and the welcome mat's the only thing that's tossed outside the door," says an upbeat Audrey Silk, the organizer and founder of New York City C.L.A.S.H. That's Citizens Lobbying Against Smoker Harassment, one of the key groups in the ever-growing movement for smokers' rights.

"But it's really about rights," Silk stresses. "Rights to choose. For the customers and the owners. Why should smokers - or any citizens - be forced to give up their rights?" And getting down to specifics, she adds: "Why should smokers spend their money to be abused? I mean, why go out to have fun and then...not have it?

Fun, dinner and drinks with some New York celebrities at the landmark steakhouse is what it's all about, with later (perhaps monthly) smokers' outings being planned. "We'll bring our business to any place we're welcome," Silk says, indicating that her membership is ready, aimed and willing to boycott their hometown.

 

The C.L.A.S.H. Bye-Bye Bash
Sunday, March 30th, 5-8 pm

5 pm (Cocktails)
6 pm (Dinner)

Frankie & Johnnie's Steakhouse
163 14th Street

Hoboken NJ 07030

 BE THERE!!

[Maedhros]

ping

[Max McGarrity]

Keep this puppy bumped as much as you can, guys. And if you're anywhere near NYC, get in touch with Audrey at NYC C.L.A.S.H. and join them for good food, good friends and good fun!

[Max McGarrity]

Whoa! YOU are quick on the draw, Maedhros! Impressive!

[lonestar]

bump

[octobersky]

bump for liberty

[Cobra64]

Montreal tried this about 12 years ago. Definition for STUPID or DARWIN was a good fit. Major black market from the USA to Canada. Federal and local revenues plumetted. The tax junkies in gubmint should take an economics course. Better yet, develop some commin' cents, dontcha' no?

[MinuteGal]

BYE BYE, BLOOMBIRD

Pack up all your fascist tricks
We won't give up our cancer sticks
Bye Bye, Bloombird

Election time will pretty soon await you
Then you'll see we puffers really hate you
Bye Bye, Bloombird

No one here will love or understand you
Just hang around and see what we will hand you

You made your bed, we'll douse your light
We'll send you packing in the night
Bloombird, bye bye.

(Durn, now what did I do with muh lighter?)

Leni

[Maedhros]

I must say that I personally abhor smoking (my dad's a pulmonologist). Being a Virginian, though, I have a keen interest in any NYC smoking shenanigans. Bloomberg's insane tax increases on cigarettes have been a windfall for Virginia, because dealers take advantage of our low (~2¢) tax per pack and smuggle the cigs into NYC for a hefty profit. It almost makes up for all the trash NYC ships to Virginia landfills.

[arly]

I hope the city bars and restaurants really feel the crunch!

[SheLion]

BUMP For Sure!

[SheLion]

BUMP to my Puff list!

[ELS]

Ping!

[Max McGarrity]

Great theme song, ya tell me!!

[Judith Anne]

Smokers' Backlash. Gonna be inflammatory. SmokeNazis will end up on the ashheap of history. ;-D

[MarkL]

If the NJ legislature had any sense at all, they'd cut the state tax on cigarettes at least in half, driving the cost of the cigarettes down to the point where it would be worth it for NY residents to cross the state line to buy them...

Of course, they'd be crucified by the anti-smoking crowd, as well as leftists, since the thought of lowering taxes, even if it increases revenue, is anathema to them.

Mark

[Madame Dufarge]

All together now!!!!

[Bella_Bru]

They're heading for a Bye-Bye New York City Bash at Hoboken's famous Frankie & Johnnie's Steakhouse, a place that earned its fame as a speakeasy in the '20s

How perfectly appropriate! I hope you all in NYC give Bloomberg the big boot!