[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.

[Claire Voyant]

Never EVER trust a FAKE Republican.

[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.

[Republic of Texas]

There is never a good time to curtail freedom.

[templar]

This seems to ba a growing trend. I'm an ex sm0ker for 20 years ( 3 1/2 pack a day habit when I quit) and there is no one more opposed to smoking than I am, but this is going too far. First ammendment guarantees the right to peacable assembly (free association) to everyone, not just non smokers. If non smoking restaurants and bars can't attract enough non smokers to stay in business something is wrong (I avoid smoke filled establishments most of the time). I see no need to stop smokers from going to the establishments that allow smoking and non smokers to got tho those that do not. Those that don't care can go either place. This is no place for government to be involved.

[exmoor]

"Whats for supper honey ?????????????

[wingnuts'nbolts]

This is like prohibition. It won't work. People will buy their smokes on line or buy tobacco from a tobacco shop and roll their own. Either way taxes from cigarettes will fall way off. These taxes were, if I got it right, to be used for the children.

People who used to patronize restaurants where there were smoking sections still will, but fewer and less often.

Someone will come up with a way around this. Like Speakeaseys. It really is an unenforceable law. Government has no right regulating liquor, cigaretts or what goes on in your home (unless people are being hurt).

I am a smoker and I don't like smoke filled rooms at restaurants or nightclubs, but I know the government overreaches itself. I am so sick and tired of the PC nonsense going on in this country I could shriek. Not that it would help. All I can do is be non PC. Merry Christmas! Hey, got a light?

[Jorge]

With all due respect, Mayor Bloomberg is turning out to be a major bozo.
I quit smoking several years ago, but still can't stand these anti-smoking nazis.