Vote to ease (Delaware)smoking ban likely close in House

Wilmington (DE) News Journal ^ | 03/16/03 | PATRICK JACKSON

[Gabz]

A close vote is expected Tuesday when the Delaware House considers a bill amending the state's 4-month-old indoor smoking ban by exempting bars, taprooms, casinos and some other places catering to adults.

A News Journal poll of House members last week found 19 in favor of allowing smoking in some places where it now is banned, nine opposed to easing restrictions and 11 undecided. Two could not be reached.

[Gabz]

When the anti-smoker News Urinal quotes a smokers group, you know the antis are feeling the pressure!!!

[dwilli]

Must be a shortage of tobacco tax revenue for the pols to use buying re-election votes.

[Gabz]

She Lion - your ping list would be greatly appreciated here!!!

The good news is that only 21 votes are needed for passage and of the undecided I can think of at least 5 that will most likely vote with us.

The bad news is that there are going to be upwards of 25 amendments being attempted to be added to it. Tuesday is going to be a VEEEERRRYYYYYYYY LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG day.

[SheLion]

Ping!

[Gabz]

You're a definite pal!!!!

[SheLion]

Glad I could help!

[Gabz]

I spent the better part of last week picking up postcards from the taverns and taprooms in southern Delaware. The horror stories I heard were unreal.

This ban has taken a devastating toll on business in Delaware. We are so close to other states that don't have this ban.

Contrary to what the antis claim - the non-smokers are NOT making up for the lost business.

[oldironsides]

The casino money is off so much that the state is shocked.
The smokers went to Maryland and Pennsylvania to eat and drink. Some gamblers drove to Atalntic City. Once a state get used to money from addictions like tobacco and gambling they are hooked. Easy money for politicians.

[Madame Dufarge]

Some legislators are worried about losing gamblers

Ya think?

Let's hope that "some" of those legislators are among the undecided and are starting to come out of the ether.

[Great Dane]

"A lot of times, even in restaurants with non-smoking sections, you can smell the smoke. Sometimes it was so bad that we'd turn around and leave as soon as we walked in the door," Cornell said. "It's very nice to be able to go into a restaurant and not be bothered by smoke. Delaware has passed a very forward-thinking law, and I hope it survives."

Of course there is still the sensible option...... let the owner decide, smokers and non, could then be accommodated.

[Great Dane]

Contrary to what the antis claim - the non-smokers are NOT making up for the lost business.

Same in Ottawa, and we have had the ban for a year and 7 looong months.

[Gabz]

Exactly.

They were warned but refused to listen.............

[SheLion]

Contrary to what the antis claim - the non-smokers are NOT making up for the lost business.

Of course not. It's all propaganda.

[Gabz]

Some legislators are worried about losing gamblers

why worry? - they've already lost them.

[jackbill]

This ban has taken a devastating toll on business in Delaware. We are so close to other states that don't have this ban.

When the ban was first passed, I heard that Mulligan's restaurant in Rehobeth was going to close and move over the state line into Maryland, where they have a number of other restaurants. I notice that their web page still has the DE location listed.

[Gabz]

I'm not familiar with that particular establishment - but it's possible they may be holding off to see how it hurts in the summer.

The big problem with this has been the Restaurant association, which primarily represents the chains that can afford to lose a bit of clientele and prefer fast turnover of tables. But because they said they supported it - all the other places that didn't were hurt.

[Gabz]

I've just spent the past hour on a call-in radio program with a discussion of the Delaware smoking ban.

There was not one single caller in favor of it.

Even the show's host, who is a non-smoker, opposes the ban and is in favor of the changes being promoted by the legislation up for debate on Tuesday.

[jackbill]

From their web site:

This "Flagship" Mulligans sports over 11,000 square feet of fun! Can you imagine??? Featuring formal and informal dining options, a fabulous raw bar for seafood lovers, a breathtaking mezzanine sky box which can also be reserved for private parties, 14 satellite TV's, a dynamite octagon center bar, much more!!

This is what Mulligans is all about, choices, choices, choices! Located on Rt 1 North, next to Comfort Inn and (did we tell you?) close to tons of shopping at the outlets.

I've not been there but I have been in the one in Ocean City, MD quite often. It's a "sports bar" with booths and has a separate dining room. If the one in Rehobeth is similar, part of it might qualify for a modification in the ban - if it passes.

[Gabz]

Unfortunately for Mulligan's if HB 15 passes without any amendments, it won't qualify under the change.

However, there are some amendments that would cause them to fall under it.

Tuesday is going to be a very long day with this legislation. There are something like 25 amendments already and more likely to appear on Tuesday.

[Gabz]

Same in Ottawa, and we have had the ban for a year and 7 looong months.

This ban hasn't even been in effect for 6 months and it is killing business.

As one bar owner said - "even the guy that delivers my toilet paper is hurting, because I don't as much as I used to. Because I don't have the customers to use it."

The antis think they are "helping people - I would like to know how taking money out of people's pocket helps them.