[Outraged At FLA]

Well, I wish they would have started the lawsuits earlier than this, but it is a start. Starting tomorrow this stupid ban goes into effect.

[CJ Wolf]

I was in Jersey this weekend, stopped in a sub shop and was pleased to see the handwritten sign on the wall. "There is no non-smoking sections in here"

[Alberta's Child]

My understanding is that restaurants in particular have a solid legal basis for their lawsuit. When the state of New York passed a law a few years ago requiring all restaurants to have separate non-smoking areas for their patrons, many restaurants spent a lot of money installing separate ventilation systems for their smoking and non-smoking areas. If the state now wants to ban smoking in restaurants altogether, then the least it can do is compensate all those business owners who spent the money to meet those last restrictions.

[wayoverontheright]

Smokers Suing To Stop NY Smoking Ban...

I love freedom more than I hate smoke.

Hopefully there are some non-smokers involved in this. If we all sit back and watch our private property rights eliminated by the busy-bodies then we'll get what we deserve.

[The Great RJ]

The anti-smoking zealots are missing the point--it's the taxes stupid. State governments depend on sin taxes especially on cigarettes as a major source of revenue. If smoking is banned the states will hve to look elesewhere for the tax revenues. To support a massive social welfare system smoking is essential.

[Texan5]

The American Cancer Society should go pound sand, stay out of government and private business, and totally defund. Or better yet, start looking for a CURE, because that is supposedly why you exist and get donations (but not from me).

[Gabz]

Well, I wish they would have started the lawsuits earlier than this, but it is a start.

They've been moving as fast as they could - they needed to raise a bunch of money to get it started.

There are going to be several more coming down the road here very shortly, and not just in NY!!!!!!!!!!!

[Beck_isright]

The lawsuits are starting up here in Florida too. One bar down in Miami got clever. The law states that "10% of gross food sales or less" would be the standard for granting a waiver. So this one bar in Miami is only serving food during football season and launching MASSIVE happy hours this summer to make sure 91% of his sales are in booze this year. This law is so moronic, it's pathetic.

[nothingnew]

PUFF

FMCDH

[CSM]

I say that as patrons in a smoking ban city all tips come to a halt. If the servers didn't think it important enough to be active to protest the potential bans then their incomes should not be suplemented by smokers. Let the non smokers pay more, heck we all know the argument that the bars will make more money because the customer turnover will increase. In addition, if this is for their health then their health costs should go down and they tips from smokers would not be needed.

An economic protest will be the only way to get some of our citizens to "pay" attention.

If I am in a restaurant/bar that allows smoking I will continue to tip very well.

[yoe]

The Legislature passed the law in March to protect New Yorkers from being exposed to cancer-causing second-hand smoke while working. What about other contaminants, asbestos or tainted food or the chemicals used for cleaning? Lung Cancer is about 50/50 the cause of death and smoking is only a ‘related’ cause – maybe. AIDs is more costly to the government/insurance companies than cigarettes. Nosy, intrusive government has exacerbated the problem as have easily led hypochondriacs. As a result, venom has replaced respect, and obstinacy has replaced courtesy. It is government and those people not secondhand smoke, that have poisoned the atmosphere.

http://www.forces.org/humor/files/thermo.htm
an interesting chart where “truth” merits a zero. Secondhand smoke is still a myth and studies incomplete.

[Just another Joe]

It's good to see that some are fighting the anti-smokers.

[RobRoy]

I am not a smoker. Smoking and smokers disgust me.

That said, this law is pure facism. Nothing more, nothing less.

[Normal4me]

I won't smoke where people are eating if they promise not to eat where I am smoking. If they are that hungry then let them go to a restaurant and enjoy a quiet meal while I play pool and drink beer and smoke my overtaxed cigarrettes.

[ImphClinton]

Now let me get this right the law protects workers from smoke.

Solution build a negative pressure room with separate ventalation (this keeps the smoke only in the smoking room). People can smoke eat etc. in there but no employee can enter the room during business hours. This overcomes the law while protecting the workers.

[ImphClinton]

I see no basis that is winable in this lawsuit except the wavier provision. I suppose the court could set standards but they would require the bar prove financial loss afeter the law took effect. This would be a difficult thing to do.

Rat poison is legal but you can't put it in someones soup. Tobacco is legal but you can't make someone else breath it based on the same princible.

These laws have been upheld everytime so far.

[jjm2111]

I want to walk into the American Cancer Society office and light up a big Churchill.

[timestax]

Well, I wish they would have started the lawsuits earlier than this, but it is a start. Starting tomorrow this stupid ban goes into effect. 1 posted on 07/23/2003 11:20 AM PDT by Outraged At FLA [

I don't smoke, but I feel for the business owners. Hope it's not too little too late!

[Giddyupgo]

Since the law here in Florida, I know a lot of people here (in Tallahassee) go to Georgia to eat, shoot pool, etc.

My brother, a trucker, told me about a truck stop near So. Florida where you can still smoke. The owner told him it's his property, and the govt. be damned. LOL.

Here's a link to some interesting facts on this no-smoking law: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/CarolASThompson/

[rocky88]

I have been talking with some people and everyone so far agrees that an outright boycott of NY STATE LOTTERY TICKETS is a GREAT place to start tomorrow. I'm trying to get some radio interest in the topic for tomorrow - we'll see where it goes.

And by the way, I'm a non-smoker, and VERY pregnant. I hate cigarette smoke, but I hate the fascist playground that New York State is, and I am forced to live here for a few more years. WE NEED TO FIGHT THIS!!!

[Libertina]

Hope they win and put a stop to this garbage. Rush was right, certain cars and fast food will be next... It's about the $$$$$$$$$$$$