Smokers 'Taking it to the Streets' to protest ban [restaurants suffering a 20 to 60 percent loss]

Buffalo News ^

[Phantom Lord]

So, smoking in bars and restaurants is one of the things that made America great?? I guess we have a difference of opinion on that one, Max.

No. Freedom and the protection of property rights are 2 of the main ingrediants that made America great.

[Max McGarrity]

No. Freedom and the protection of property rights are 2 of the main ingrediants that made America great./i> Thank you. Nothing else needs be said.

[philetus]

Were you that guy next to me at a light with his finger burried to the second knuckle in his nostril?

[Max McGarrity]

I get your point. It's all about freedom. I guess I have the same freedom to blow my nose loudly next to you while enjoying your cigarette. I guess I have the freedom to extract a long malleable piece of mucous menbrane and contemplate it for a while. Freedom is freedom. Oh wait, your freedom to swing your arms ends where your fist meets my nose. I guess freedom has *gasp* limits.

Like most totalitarian nannies, you misunderstand the debate. The freedom in question is not mine to smoke or yours to play with your boogers, the freedom in question and in danger is that of the property owner to decide. The RIGHT you have--the FREEDOM that's always been yours--is to open your own place with your OWN money and invite all your nose-pickin friends. The FREEDOM I have is to stay out of your nasty place. All that's required is to put a sign on the door stating your policy. Why is that concept so hard for you dictacrats to understand?

[Dr. Zoo]

Smoking is illegal in bars and restaurants where I live.

The bar where I have breakfast every morning (Scotch and beer) is very concerned about their clients' breath.

Every two stools or so there is an Altoids tin.

One day when the BATF came by, the bartender gathered up all the "Altoids", took all the cans of beer out of the ice and passed the "test."

In this area you can smoke in any bar. And the smoker can be fined too.

I don't smoke myself, but love the smell. Second hand smoke rocks!

[wireman]

"They are not subject to this IDIOT law, and we will be dining out at our new club often."

As a liquor licensee and a member of several "fraternal organizations" in NYS, I can assure you that they ARE subject to this IDIOT law. If they think they are exempt, they are in for a rude awakening (unless a sanity prevails and the law is changed).

[VermiciousKnid]

Actually, this particular place is of the "bring your own booze" variety. There are no employees, and the servers are members who volunteer on a rotating basis. I believe that since no one is paid to be a server, they are not subject to the "workplace" designation.

But since I can't be sure, let's say they ARE subject to the law. This club is ignoring the law. As should ALL the bars and restaurants. Too bad they won't do it.

Regards,

[wireman]

If my customers ignore the law, they incur no penalties.

If I ignore the law, the fines start at $1,000 per violation and quickly escalate to include the suspension / revocation of my public health permit.

That, unfortunately, would put me out of business.

[per loin]

A better rebellion would be to light up in government buildings.

[VermiciousKnid]

I am so sorry that the NY State legislature has done this to you. Rest assured that there are indeed some of us who have no financial incentive to change the law will nevertheless continue to fight for its repeal.

And if any of you RINOs and 'RATs from the NY legislature are lurking out there...read these posts, and for heaven's sake DO something about it. You were wrong, you know it, and you should admit your mistake and rectify it immediately. We're watching.

Regards,

[kimchi lover]

"One of the things that made America great is having the CHOICE to make our own decisions, right or wrong. Another is having the RIGHT to start and run a business--and permit a LEGAL activity on premises we pay for. As for "you people," if you can't see beyond the smoke to the fact that you're throwing away your neighbors' freedoms, the shoe fits. "

What about the FREEDOM of people who desire to EAT without inhaling the smoke of others? Is OUR freedom LESS important than the freedom of the smokers?
What about my CHOICE to eat without the disgusting stench of someone else's smoke??? Somehow I think that my freedom is also important, don't you?

[185JHP]

Gum??? Patches??? Doing something about your addiction???

[Mears]

Thank God for Altoids tins. I just returned from a trip visiting a non-smoking daughter and my Altoid tin and I spent quite a bit of time out on the patio.

[Mears]

Were you an adult in the fifties and sixties? Probably not. In those days people sat and had a consult with their doctor while they both smoked,we smoked in hospital rooms,we smoked (and drank) while pregnant and had huge,healthy families.

Ah,the good old days---and by the way many of us evil smokers are in our dotage right now and doing very well.

[Mears]

Dumb argument,Doc,sorry!!

I adore chocolate candy bars but don't eat them all day either.

[PurVirgo]

The basic, fundamental beef is property rights. Shouldn't an establishment have the choice whether they are smoking or non?

And then proudly display their right to make that choice in plain sight for customers to see?

Socialists don't believe in individual property rights or personal freedoms either. That should make you sick.

BTW - as an ex-waitress, we would fight over who got to wait on the smoking section.

[paulklenk]

Wanna smoke in a NYC bar? You still can, at Florio's in Little Italy. It's a cigar shop and bar and restaurant, and you will not get kicked out for smoking.

Florio's is at 192 Grand, doors away from Mulberry Street where Little Italy and Chinatown converge.

[kimchi lover]

"Were you an adult in the fifties and sixties? Probably not. In those days people sat and had a consult with their doctor while they both smoked,we smoked in hospital rooms,we smoked (and drank) while pregnant and had huge,healthy families."

Actually, I was born in 1959 and I watched both of my grandfathers die of lung cancer. I never smoked a day in my life(tobacco or anything else) because I was sickened by what it did to the people I loved. I guess that answers your question.

[GOPJ]

Isn't there an exception for tobacco shops? Can a tobacco shop sell food?

[kimchi lover]

"The basic, fundamental beef is property rights. Shouldn't an establishment have the choice whether they are smoking or non? "

Actually, I agree with you. I DO believe that restaurant/bar owners SHOULD have the right to decide if they want a smoking or non-smoking establishment. Having said that, I am still GIDDY about not having to deal with other people's smoke while I eat my dinner or drink my cocktail out on the town. I have actually had a fine meal ruined by wafting smoke...personally, I don't want to pay good money and be exposed to carcinogens at the same time.