Applebee's will ban smoking

Tribune Chronicle ^ | 05/11/04 | Staff, wire reports

[CSM]

"As far as facts and figures, the best evidence is that the large chains are banning smoking. They have the ultimate responsibility to maximize profits and gain market share. If there actions lowered profits and/or market share the market would be creating smoking establishments FASTER than nonsmoking ones. In that this isn't the case, the numbers speak for themselves."

Yep, and their goal is to "shrink" the total available market in that community. The market contraction causes some family owned businesses to go under, therefore the lower demand is met with fewer businesses. So, in essence they advocate a policy that shrinks the market and then decide that they must lower the available businesses to meet that smaller market, they do that with government force.

Just like any socialist would do, and you support it.

[CSM]

"It is simply not arguable that the costs for running two separate seating arrangments, the slower turnover of tables from smokers and the extra cost for equipment and supplies increases costs."

Don't forget the revenue side of the equation. A restaurant or bar makes a much higher profit margin on alcohol beverages and deserts. Therefore, the customer that lingers over a couple of more drinks not only provides a higher margin to the restaurant, but they also end up tipping the wait person more.

Don't forget bars. The regulars that stay for a couple of hours and socialize of drinks and smokes will no longer hang out for a couple of hours, they will stop by and then leave quickly. Therefore, their revenues will drop dramatically.

Of course, your answer is to lower supply to meet the lower demand. How very "free market" of you.

[Gabz]

I absolutely despise the term "level playing field."

The only true level playing field in the hospitality industry is the free market......each establishment adjusting it's atmosphere, entertainment, decor, menu; etc. to attract the particular clinetelle it wishes.

If I don't want seafood for dinner I'm not going to head for the local crab shack. If I don't want to listen to country music I'm not going to attend the VFD's barn dance. If I don't want to have to go outside for a cigarette while dining or drinking, I won't be going to Applebee's, Delaware, California, New York, Maine or anyplace else that bans it.

If I can avoid establishments that don't have the things I want or have things I don't want, why can't other people?

HMMM.............I wonder, I'll be going to Delaware next month for a function. If I get stung by a bee, wasp or hornet, I wonder if I can sue the state because I was forced by them to be outside and subject myself to a provable hazard to my health? A hazard they could easily have removed by judicious use of pesticides. (for the kool-aid drinking gnatzies this was pure sarcasm)

[Leisler]

The appellation was sarcasm, but now that I know where you’re coming from, I apologize for confusing you. I’ll go slower, use smaller words and shorter sentences.
Here is a word you can go to the local library (it’s where they have books you can borrow) and have them look it up and explain it you. The word is "precedent."

[netmilsmom]

>>If I get stung by a bee, wasp or hornet, I wonder if I can sue the state because I was forced by them to be outside and subject myself to a provable hazard to my health?<<

Wasn't there a barmaid that got stabbed because she was forced outside for a cigarette break?

[Rebelbase]

What the hell does the president have to do with this?

[Rebelbase]

:-)

[Gabz]

I don't advocate smoking while pregnant either. I did, as did many of my friends. We all have very bright, very healthy kids, and most of us are what is considered Mature Mothers. That is just anecdotal info, not scientific study.

My OB felt I had cut enough stuff out of my life that as long as I felt OK and my vitals and the baby's vitals were OK it was not that big of a deal.

[netmilsmom]

>>most of us are what is considered Mature Mothers<<

LOL!
I turned 37 during my first pregnancy. I must be "Mature" as well but not if you ask my hubby!

[Gabz]

What a way to gain market share, using government force to make your competition go out of business.

That is what they did in Delaware.

The Delaware Restaurant Association is predominantly made up of the owners and franchise holders of chain businesses. They fought the ban, until it included bars, then they used strong arm tactics to get the little guys who were not members to go along with them.

I know this because I was right smack in the middle of the battle and witnessed it first hand.........because I can't provide links to my experience there will be some that will question my assertions, but those that know me and know what I did for so long in Delaware will know that I am not making up what I am saying.

[Hildy]

Good..you won't be blowing smoke in my food. It just doesn't seem unreasonable to me to ask someone not smoke for the hour or so it takes to eat.

[MeekOneGOP]

hehe ! I love that pic.

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

Thank you. I do not object to the change.

[Just another Joe]

Thank you. I do not object to the change.

I didn't think you would.

[CSM]

"It just doesn't seem unreasonable to me to ask someone not smoke for the hour or so it takes to eat."

Let me make the correction for you: It just doesn't seem unreasonable to me to ask someone not to smoke for the hour or so it takes ME to eat.

Unless, of course, you are so self centered as to think everyone arrives at the restaurant at the same time and with the same intention. Not everyone frequents these establishments with the intent of eating a meal. Many people socialize with other regulars over a beer and cig.

I am sick of having to deal with unruly children in restaurants that I propose we ban children from them. Now that I think about it, this might work out great. I am sick of having to hear other people's noise polution (conversations) that we should ban all talking in public. This whole banning for my convenience might just be a good idea after all!

[Hildy]

Now I'm REALLY glad I'll never run into you in a restaurant, you're kinda mean, aren't ya? The fact is that this restaurant did this on their own without government involvement. I think I'll go to an Applebee's today to support them (and piss you off).

[MissTargets]

Good..you won't be blowing smoke in my food.

Unless you were seated in the smoking section, you would not have smoke blowed on your food. The last Applebees I was in, the smoking section was on the other side of the bar, far removed from the non-smoking.

[Hildy]

I'm not a smoker, but I grew up with smokers. When I moved to California and found myself in public areas that were smoke-free, I have to tell you it was so much better. Now, when I'm in another State or somewhere that allows smoking, I literally get ill and sometimes that headachey feeling lasts for a day or so, not to mention the smell on the clothes, etc. It just seems like a huge imposition on those who don't smoke. Of course, if I smoked, I'd feel differently. My brother and sister-in-law smoke way too much and I'm actually sad for them that they can't forego smoking for any period of time and have to excuse themselves to walk outside to smoke. Addiction is a very sad thing.

[Gabz]

Wasn't there a barmaid that got stabbed because she was forced outside for a cigarette break?

Yes.

One of the biggest problems my friends who own bars in Delaware are having is dealing with security issues for the patrons and employees who have to go outside. So many people have this bucolic idea about Delaware, but the fact is that the downtown areas of Dover, Newark, and Wilmington are just as bad, and in some cases worse, than major metro areas in terms of violence and crime.

No one could pay me enough to go to a bar that didn't have outside service or was obeying the law in Delaware anymore.

Thank goodness I live in a civilized place and no longer in Delaware.

Another problem they are having is dealing with unseen alcohol consumption...........they have no idea how much alcohol folks are drinking out in the parking lot in their cars when they go out for a ciagrette.

[MissTargets]

Drinking is bad for people too. When are they going to announce the plan to go dry?

That was tried sometime in the 20's. It didn't work out too well. Personally, I don't drink, don't like to be around people who have been drinking, so I don't go to bars. Banning alcohol would not bother me in the least, but I sure would not make a big fuss about getting it banned.