New York City: Restaurateurs: 'This Is Really Bad Timing'

newsday.com ^ | Tania Padgett

[SheLion]

"Owners are concerned about their revenues and some workers are worried about losing their jobs. This is really bad timing."

[SheLion]

New York City Bars:

[SheLion]

Many New York City restaurateurs are fuming over the new ban on smoking that city leaders announced yesterday.

Restaurateurs said that the new law, expected to go into effect in March or April, will sap revenues, which have already slipped because of the recession and the ripple effects of the terrorists attacks.

"This is a bad time for people in the restaurant business," said E. Charles Hunt, executive vice president at the New York State Restaurant Association's New York City chapter. "Owners are concerned about their revenues and some workers are worried about losing their jobs. This is really bad timing."

Ciaran Staunton, owner of O'Neill's near Grand Central Station, could not agree more. Staunton, who has owned the bar and restaurant for five years, said he is planning to lay off three of his 12-person staff once the ban goes into effect.

[Neets]

Much as I despise Mark Green, I can't help but think he surely would have been a better choice for Mayor than this idiot has been.

[SheLion]

Bar and restaurant revenue data for 1990 and 1998 (before and after the smoking bans) were obtained from Statistical Abstracts of the U.S., 1992 and 2000; Tables 1292 and 1295 respectively.

Bar & Restaurant Trade					Total Retail Trade
Year	1990			1998			1990			1998
USA	182			260			1,807			2,695
CA	26.3			28.0			225			291
NY	13.1			13.8			124			148
MA	6.1			5.9			50.7			62.6
VT	.46			.44			4.5			6.0
UT	.94			2.1			10.6			19.3
For comparison, below are some smoker friendly states
NC	4.5			8.0			45.8			81.1
VA	4.4			6.9			47.5			73.6
MO	3.5			5.7			36.0			57.3
TX	11.4			18.4			120			190

Mr. Kuneman further notes:  Smoker-unfriendly states have not kept up with their fair share of our nation's total bar and restaurant business since 1990.  Data are presented for total retail trade to control for population shifts and possible poor local economic conditions.  The data are not adjusted for the 20% inflation between 1990 and 1998.

The smoker-unfriendly states have experienced increased overall retail trade, but bar and restaurant revenues have remained flat.  Adjusted for inflation, however, bar and restaurant business is actually down 20% in these states.  The studies often cited that purport to claim smoking bans are good for business evidently do not adjust for inflation, and/or do not include bars and restaurants that went out of business.  Other studies cite restaurant taxes collected but fail to correct for tax rate hikes.  Note bar and restaurant business in smoker-friendly states has appreciated at rates similar to the overall retail trade.  Of the 45 states that have not banned smoking at the state or local level, only Hawaii experienced poor revenue growth similar to California, New York, Massachusetts and Vermont.  Since Utah is mostly Mormon and Mormons don't smoke, it would be expected Utah would not suffer the revenue loses the other states in this category experienced.

 

[Claire Voyant]

Never EVER trust a FAKE Republican.

[SheLion]

Never EVER trust a FAKE Republican.

NEVER! But, evidentially, the New Yorkers DID! Especially since he was endorced by RUDY.

[KS Flyover]

"Owners are concerned about their revenues and some workers are worried about losing their jobs. This is really bad timing."

Ciaran Staunton, owner of O'Neill's near Grand Central Station, could not agree more. Staunton, who has owned the bar and restaurant for five years, said he is planning to lay off three of his 12-person staff once the ban goes into effect.

Bloomberg said that the smoking ban was to protect bar and restaurant workers from second-hand smoke.

Apparently by forcing them out of their jobs and onto the pavement.

[JimVT]

Bloomberg said that the smoking ban was to protect bar and restaurant workers from second-hand smoke.

Yeah...but did he ask them or just assume that BIG BROTHER KNOWS BEST!

[aristeides]

What will this drop in restaurant and bar business do to NYC's tax revenues? Isn't NYC pushing through a massive tax increase because of losses in tax revenue?

[KS Flyover]

Yeah...but did he ask them or just assume that BIG BROTHER KNOWS BEST!

Of course he didn't ask them. Bloomie knows what's best for you whether you like it or not.

It's called "Compassion" by the Liberals.

It's called "Social Engineering" by anyone with a brain.

[bert]

I don't understand the problem..... just do what leftists always do interpreet the law as you choose and smoke where you want to. If you get a ticket, put it in the drawer.

[RGSpincich]

Yeah...but did he ask them or just assume that BIG BROTHER KNOWS BEST!

That's the problem, he did ask them. The majority of the workers favor the ban according to some industry surveys.

[Woodman]

I know this is hard to believe, but Mark Greene was even worse. I blame the downstate Republican Party for not being able to field a decent candidate for Mayor. There is even talk of removing party affiliation from city office campaigns and elections. If they did that we would likely never see another conservative in the Mayor's office.

[laredo44]

That's the problem, he did ask them. The majority of the workers favor the ban according to some industry surveys.

That's no reason to apply a tyranny of the majority. Let those that desire a smoke free environment seek employment in smoke free establishments and those that do not act accordingly.

[RGSpincich]

I totally agree.

[SheLion]

Apparently by forcing them out of their jobs and onto the pavement.

KS, all across the U.S. and Canada, there is documentation of closed businesses, loss of revenue and loss of jobs. I just can't understand why the people let the anti's get away with this!

[SheLion]

That's the problem, he did ask them. The majority of the workers favor the ban according to some industry surveys.

He just ask the majority that he knew would agree with him!

I sent countless letters to Gifford Miller of the NYC City Council and letters to the rest of the council protesting this. Sent them information about ASHRA saying that bar and restaurant workers smoke the equivalent of "6" cigarettes a YEAR. Do you think they would listen? NO! And as Max said: this was rubber stamped and the City Council was determined to do what they wanted to do and to hell with the people and business owners.

Now we have Phillip Morris Corporate Head into the mix. Now HE has a dog in this fight. Every employee at the NY Phillip Morris Building smoke at their desk. He and all the rest will have to go out into the alley to smoke. LOL!

[RGSpincich]

He just ask the majority that he knew would agree with him!

The ones firmly entrenched in their big business jobs (large hotels, resorts, etc.) no doubt. Employees of the small business owners affected by this will probably have a different opinion.

[SheLion]

Employees of the small business owners affected by this will probably have a different opinion.

You go in debt to open up a little bar/restaurant, which is something that has been a dream of yours.........comply with the Board of Health for kitchen requirements. Insure people have safe and healthy food. Spotless bathrooms. You also invest in a big smoke eater, so your non-smokers will be happy. But RSGpincich, it wasn't good enough.

The Tobacco Settlement money created all of the anti coalitions feeding at the trough of that money to ban, control and restrict the smoker. They then swayed the Mayors, Governors and City Councils to believe what they say. They insured everyone that the smoke ban would INCREASE revenues. They lied! Who suffers? You guess it......

Smoking Bans Devastating to Businesses

PS: The smokers paying taxes on cigarettes are paying the Tobacco Settlement money 100%! NOT the government and NOT Big Tobacco. THE SMOKER. Sad, isn't it!

[Republic of Texas]

There is never a good time to curtail freedom.