Posted on 07/30/2003 4:30:37 PM PDT by fight_truth_decay
Eatery, bar smoking could end.
Rep. Lopez to introduce state bill in Jan.
PHOENIX - Smokers are expected to face an assault on two of the last public places where they can freely light up: restaurants and bars.
A Tucson lawmaker wants to get rid of cigarettes in all workplaces, and that includes currently exempt restaurants and bars.
Rep. Linda Lopez, D-Tucson, said she expects to introduce legislation in January like that in California and New York (Maine), which instituted smoking bans.
"It's a workplace issue," Lopez said Tuesday. "People have to work in bars, and they have to have a safe place to work like everybody else."
Lopez, a self-proclaimed reformed smoker, said she will not compromise on her efforts. Most cities and states ban smoking in most public buildings but exempt restaurants and bars. Recently, states have taken a harder line on smokers. And communities have jumped on the bandwagon. Tempe, in 2002, went smokeless after voters approved a ban.
Tucson bans smoking in restaurants, but bars are exempt. A change would hurt business, said Brandi Rush, head bartender at the Bashful Bandit.
"Bars have always been places where you can smoke," said Rush, counting five cigarette-puffing customers of the seven in the bar at noon Tuesday. "I think that business all over the place would drop."
Beth Grant, one of those customers at the bar at 3686 E. Speedway, said stamping out cigarettes in bars puts a crimp into a fun time.
"I know it's a hassle if I go somewhere that is nonsmoking and I have to leave and go outside and smoke," said Grant, of Tucson. "The thing about bars, you don't want to have to leave a conversation because you want a drag."
Lopez said the economic impacts would be negligible if there would be any at all. In fact, she says, a statewide ban could increase business by bringing out people who dislike smelling like smoke after a night out.
The law, if approved, would have no impact on Indian casinos. Lopez believes Indian sovereignty will prevent the law from taking effect on reservations.
Standing in the wings is retired Dr. Leland Fairbanks, a staunch foe of smoking who led a successful initiative in Tempe to ban smoking in restaurants and bars. Until recently, he has been skeptical of any legislative effort to institute a statewide ban for fear a bill would be watered down.
"I don't think we have had a champion in recent years like Linda Lopez appears to be," Fairbanks said. "We hope she can be successful, but if she can't be we are committed to having a safe workplace."
Bill Weigele, president of the Arizona Licensed Beverage Association, said the group will oppose the Lopez effort.
"Dining and smoking probably needs to fall under some smoking regulation," Weigele said. "But drinking and smoking in bars should not, and we would oppose regulating a California-style condition."
* Contact reporter Barrett Marson 1-602-271-0623 or bmarson@azstarnet.com.
* What: Rep. Linda Lopez, D-Tucson, wants to introduce a bill that would ban smoking in all workplaces, including restaurants and bars throughout the state.
* What's next: Lopez will meet with stakeholders during the next few weeks before getting the bill written. It would be introduced for the next legislative session, which begins in January. It would then head to a committee hearing, possibly the House Health Committee. If it is approved in the House, the Senate would also have to give its blessing. Then it would have to get past Gov. Janet Napolitano.
NEWSTalk
Share your thoughts on NewsTalk. Responses will be published on tomorrow's Opinion page. A sample will be selected to offer a range of opinions. * Should smoking be banned in all workplaces, including bars and restaurants? Why? * Should any provisions be made for considerations such as separate smoking areas?
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ARIZONA – 2002- As reported by the Arizona Republic: “Indian tribes have agreed to a landmark deal with Gov. Jane Hull that would give the state an annual $83 million share of gambling profits in exchange for liberalized casino rules on the reservations.
”The gaming accord would legalize blackjack and allow tribes near Phoenix and Tucson to double the size of their casinos.
”The state could reap as much as $1 billion in casino taxes over the next 10 years, according to a report by the Howard Consulting Group of Reno. -TheRollingGoodTimes
FMCDH(and that includes my cigs as well as my guns!)
Really? They have to? Doesn't the 13th Amendment apply in Arizona? I didn't think that anyone was forced to work at a particular job anymore. Must be my publik skule edjamakateshun kickin' in again.
And, I excuse all flamers. I know that you are really nice people and that it is your addiction saying dumb things, trying to support something you are too weak to overcome. No, really, I forgive you.
Good, you'll need to. I won't flame you, though, because I would get banned. But I'll be cheering on those that do.
/john
Maguire Sparks Smoking Upset Spider-Man star Tobey Maguire caused a stir at the Los Angeles premiere party for his new movie Seabiscuit by violating smoking regulations.
According to American showbiz website Page Six, Maguire and his pals happily puffed away at the Armand Hammer Museum on Tuesday night (22JUL03) - despite it being illegal to smoke inside public buildings in California.
A source says, "Tobey walked in to the Armand Hammer Museum with (girlfriend) Jen Meyer and a huge entourage. And they go to this Vip table set aside for them and proceed to smoke like chimneys all night long."
Although there were a few grumbles, the source says no action was taken, explaining, "Because it was Tobey, no one would do anything. They all kept ashing and dumping their butts in a big plant behind them."
HOW MANY PLANTS MUST DIE?"
Yeah, that stupid private property stuff... who needs private property, right? We should all bow down to anyone who steps foot on our property, no matter what their requests.
sheesh.
More drivel from the Smoke Gnatzies.
Just ask bar and restaurant owners in Delaware about all the people flocking to their businesses because of the smoke ban - it ain't happening folks.
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