Posted on 06/19/2002 7:11:34 AM PDT by SheLion
Some Haverhill restaurant owners are complaining about a city ban on smoking.
NewsCenter 5's Kelley Tuthill said that they claim the smoking ban is driving customers away and they say they're ready to fight to get it overturned.
Restaurant owners said that they've lived with these new regulations for three months with devastating consequences. They plan to speak out Tuesday night at a meeting at City Hall.
In Haverhill, the bar banter has moved outside. Three months ago, the city banned smoking in most restaurants. The ashtrays may be gone, but so are the customers.
"I would say we lost 30 to 40 percent of our business right off top since March 1, and it happened that day," restaurant owner Mike Difeo said.
It was a similar story at Benny's farther north on Route 125.
"It's a struggle. I've lost $49,000 as of today, and I can see I lost my main base of customers because of non-smoking. I am losing help. My people are not making money. I went from 58 employees to 44 employees," restaurant owner Ben Brienza said.
Workers and some customers may be heading across the border to New Hampshire.
"I think it's a ridiculous law. Little by little, we are lawing ourselves right out of freedom," one customer said.
"A lot of people we don't see anymore. It's sad," another customer said.
Before the regulations, nonsmoking customer could dine in a separate section of the restaurant.
So is Haverhill fixing something that wasn't broken? Not according to a member of the board of health.
"You can't drive over 65 on the highway -- that is a health issue because of accidents, and there are many different rules in that regard," board of health member Dr. Carl Rosenbloom said. "I think (the government) has an obligation to protect certain aspects of public health that an individual cannot protect themselves."
The board of health does not expect to make any decision at Tuesday night's meeting. It will take public comment for at least a week. Then, board members will either keep the regulations as is, go to a citywide ban in all establishments or chose something in between.
What are you talking about! They would have to jail all of Shop N' Save before they jail US. It's legal, and it's sold legally.
Where did you come up with THIS stuff!
I may be a lot of things, but rusty isn't one of them.
;O)
I thought we told you long ago. Maybe not, we're old, we forget things.
Yup, we sit in the office, she at her 'puter, me at mine. Some dope wants to fight, she hits 'em with a left, I hit with a right.
Works like a charm.
22 posted on 6/19/02 2:50 PM Eastern by Spaatz
This is in response to Spaatz lumping smokers in with the Drug Lords on another post. I told him that I didn't like him lumping us in with the Druggies. That is the response I received from him. ~sigh..........
I got a fight for ya! Did you read my last post about Spaaz on another thread? Lumping us in with the Druggies?
Boy, he hasn't learned NOTHING!
Legalize Drugs - Prevent People from Funding Terrorism
Post # 22
The restaurant owners should be compensated for the net present value of the lost earnings.
While my wife and I tell owners we would pay extra if they have a no smoking ban in the entire restaurant.
That has got to be put into the Freeper Posts' Hall of Fame. Classic.
Its the smell that is the issue. Even clothing worn by a smoker is enough to make some nonsmokers feel sick.
RINO
Ok! How often do YOU bath, Mr. Spice and Dice!
Oh yes, I forgot I also own an SUV..
Smokers have no clue how bad their smoke smells. They also have no clue as to how much their sense of smell and taste has been affected.
Really, my father in law bugged my mother in law about smoking for years. She outlived him by 10 years and when she did pass away it was not tobacco related. She had a brain tumor.
Let someone else do it. You wear me out with your deceitful, dishonest and inaccurate tales.
That too...
I am a RINO because I want to encourage the restaurant owner to provide non-smoking facilities because smokers are too rude to go outside instead ?
I thought it was OK for the market to dictate smoking policy ?
Plus my posistion is that the towns do have the right to ban smoking but they have an obligation to compensate the existing restaurant for the decrease in market value of the restaurant because its no different that taking their property. I would be willing to pay extra taxes to accomplish that effect.
I object to you calling me deceitful, dishonest and inaccurate. I haven't attacked you personally have I ?
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