NAZI MAINE: House gives final OK to smoking ban in bars PUKES ONE AND ALL!

boston.com ^ | 6/3/2003 | Glenn Adams

[SheLion]

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) Public health interests prevailed over warnings that personal freedoms are being eroded as the Maine House gave its final approval to a bill to ban smoking in bars and taverns.

Representatives' 95-47 enactment vote sent the measure to the Senate and put Maine a step closer to joining California and Delaware in imposing statewide bans on smoking in bars. New York's ban starts in July, and Connecticut's newly enacted ban on smoking in bars takes effect next April.

[VRWC_minion]

This courtesy argument started long ago and it seems to be a one-way street as far as non-smokers go

I don';t hear anyone complaining about pipe smokers or cigar smokers. All I hear is cigarette smokers. In fact most tax increases have only been levied on cigarettes.

[Gabz]

Sorry about your health problems. As others have replied to most of your comments I will address the one about the stats and business drops.

I can't speak for NYC as I haven't lived there in more than 20 years - but I do have first hand knowlege of the damage the smoking ban in Delaware has done to the hospitality industry and state coffers.

State coffers have lost because the state lottery runs the machines at the 2 "casinos." In the 1st six months of the smoking ban a 13% increase in revenue over last year was wiped out and the take is now more than 13% below what it was at this time last year, which was before the ban. The state has lost more than $15 million in 6 months.

I have seen the books of several establishments comparing the time frames and the losses in revenue have gone as high as 45% in some places.

Another unintended consequence of the ban is that those establishments that had voluntarily gone smoke free have seen the state take away their marketting strategy and their regular clientele.

The anti-smokers in Delaware PROMISED all the non-smokers and those with respiratory problems who could now go anywhere they wished would make up for any losses caused by the defection of smokers. It hasn't happened.

The only bar owners that are happy with the smoking ban in Delaware are the ones in Maryland, some of which have doubled their Delaware clientele and are attracting more Maryland folks who are no longer bothering to cross the state line.

Smoking bans HURT business - plain and simple.

[blackdog]

Does anyone consider that a real scam may be behind this?

Let's say that Delaware bans smoking in bars and restaraunts. Next let's say that in response to "outrage" due to declines in business, smoking permits are now sold much like liquor licenses. In some areas a liquor license sells for a few hundred grand! Why then won't those same merchants purchase a smoking license? It will become a middle ground in which government is still all mighty, the small business pays more tax revenues, the public still smokes, and there are establishments that are "smoke dry" who opt to not purchase a smoking and liquor license.

[SheLion]

  
The state site hasn't posted the vote yet, so it's too early to identify our enemies.

95-47.........which means,...........we have 95 enemies!  Lets see how many enemies THEY have come VOTING time!!!!!!!

 

[SheLion]

''We're tired of working in an environment that is not safe or healthy,'' said Rep. Leila Percy, a Phippsburg Democrat who works as a singer and bandleader in the haze of clubs that serve alcohol.

HERE HERE!

[SheLion]

I guess you have to be one of us who currently feel locked out to know that a ban on smoking may not be the same thing as the Nazi oppression some of you seem to think."

This argument does not fly anymore.  Most places like Sports Bars and Taverns that serve food, have wonderful NON smoking rooms set apart from the smoking areas.  Also, today, they install HUGE smoke eaters.  You have to LOOK to even SEE if anyone is smoking!  Smoke Eaters are wonderful!

There is no reason why non-smokers should be shut out of anywhere with set-ups like the above mentioned.

 

[headsonpikes]

Dear Mr. minion:

You've selected a truly appropriate FReeper-name.

I, for one, thank you for that.

[fight_truth_decay]

First of all it is not illegal to smoke. Who's going to enforce it? I understand after 10 pm NYC smokers are lighting up in bars? A NYer correct me if I am wrong.

Smoking bans in 'private clubs' (VFW etc.)have been added in Florida. It won't be long...til it happens in Maine. Once you get that 'big toe of government in the door'..they will push it even wider.

Where Next?

Also if one cannot smoke in his or her workplace ..then who defines a workplace?

Self-employed (your home)? The 18-wheeler/delivery driver..Uncle Mike's little hole in the wall tv repair shop down the street('We Pickup and Deliver')..etc etc.

No one was smoking in bars/restaurants in Maine unless they sold 60% Booze..thus, a non smoker could go to a restaurant/bar/pub and have dinner with no worry of cigarette/cigar smoke prior to this law. The 'little local 'watering hole' business' guy is now effected.

f_t_d

[lewislynn]

I know without a doubt that smoking is killing me a little at a time. The hold it has on me is unlike any other.

If the government truly had smoker's welfare in their minds, they'd be funding a silver bullet project akin to the moon shot to stop the addiction once and for all for those that want to quit but lack whatever it takes to do so.

You're right, no one should have personal responsibility, your admitted health problems from smoking are all the government's responsibility.

[fight_truth_decay]

If the government KNOWS it to be killing you..then they they should outlaw smoking entirely. The State of Maine would lose that $1 tax on each pack of smokes.

[lewislynn]

Nice to know that you're so smug about the seizure of private property and the busting of businesses.

No one says smokers can't patronize a business, only that you can't smoke there.

The only ones busting businesses would be you hypocrite smokers who prefer cowering at home with your cigarettes rather than going without a cigarette for 30 minutes,supporting the businesses you claim to champion .

[SheLion]

The funny thing is that Leila will no longer be able to find as much work and her side income will suffer due to the number of bar owners that will not be able to afford to hire a band. If I were a bar owner or in an association for bar owners, she would be blacklisted for this act of seizure of my personal property! Then she would no longer have to worry about "working" in a smokey environment.

You said a MOUTH Full. Poor Leila! No business no job for her. heh!

Couldn't happen to a better babe. hehe!

[SheLion]

Told you so.

I've got a few things to tell YOU ALSO! heh!

[Becki]

I guess you have to be one of us who currently feel locked out to know that a ban on smoking may not be the same thing as the Nazi oppression some of you seem to think."

So, how long have you had this victim mentality? "Locked out"?? Not by a long shot.

You have every right and freedom to make a place for the 10% like yourself. If people like it, they will make your business fly.

The real lockout is being voted on right now. Under this law, no one can even make their own place for smokers if they wanted to.

So, in effect, people like yourself are mandating others to live as you would like.

Victim my heiny.

Becki

[Becki]

I guess you have to be one of us who currently feel locked out to know that a ban on smoking may not be the same thing as the Nazi oppression some of you seem to think."

So, how long have you had this victim mentality? "Locked out"?? Not by a long shot.

You have every right and freedom to make a place for the 10% like yourself. If people like it, they will make your business fly.

The real lockout is being voted on right now. Under this law, no one can even make their own place for smokers if they wanted to.

So, in effect, people like yourself are mandating others to live as you would like.

Victim my heiny.

Becki

[Ditter]

You propose a 'smokers flag' with a red cross on it. How appropriate. LOL

[SheLion]

VRWC_minion = Control Freak

[SheLion]

Sorry I was too nice. Drop dead : )

[SheLion]

But, so far based on the reaction I get smokers are too self absorbed in their habit to realize that their smoke is really offensive and they will continue to be their own worst enemy.

YOU are TOO SELF ABSORBED IN YOUR OWN CRITICISM. YOUR a legend in your OWN mind!

Your rude, you smell funny, you hide behind your monitor like a little ball less mouse.  I have NO respect for you and your ilk.  If I lived with you for only ONE week, I would be in jail for MURDER.  You are the most disgusting creature I have had the DIS pleasure of meeting in Free Republic.

Why can't you live and let live!  You better untighten that azz of yours.  You might live longer.

I wished you lived in Perfect.  But then, you wouldn't have anything to bitch about, would you?

[Conspiracy Guy]

Reading the entire reply would be appropriate.