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May 02, 2007 11:31 AM
Just butt out!
We were delighted to find this in our morning news surf:
But what do you think-are you in favor or against a statewide smoking ban?
Categories:
Chris LaMorte, Trends
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Chris LaMorte here--hope you don't mind me butting in to the conversation (pun, of course, intended). But I think Mike makes a point that bar owners will often make. But isn't it also true that sometimes people would rather stay home than go to a bar where they are they know once they will have to wash their hair, their clothes and everything else in order to get rid of the smoke stink? I know that's the case for me! So isn't it possible that some places will actually attract new customers?
As for business, the non-smokers will stay out longer supporting bars and restaurants because they can breathe! Can't tell you how many times I've left a place because the smoke was unbearable. And yes, I have plenty of money to spend and will do so at the places that offer the healthiest environments for me to do so.
Make bars/restaurants for smokers only and let them kill each other off.
Bars will not lose business because you are forced to comply with a smoking ban. If you choose to stay at home instead of going out to protest, more power to you. Have fun smoking and drinking alone.
DAVID,
Excellent point. Since scientists prove that swearing, offensive music, and viewing women in short skirts is hazardous to my health, i too can see them putting a ban on all that you mention as well.
I'm glad you agree with me that it is troubling when the government makes decisions for people and businesses in society. I believe scientists have also proven that people have the right to utilize their free will and not enter establishments that permit smoking in order to preserve their own health. Some in society would rather the government make these tough decisions for them as they do not trust their own judgement in determining what is in their own best interest. I would like to think we live in a world where people are smart enough to make their own decisions, but I understand that some weaker minds prefer to be dictated to. A better idea would be for some wise entrepreneurs to develop non-smoking restaurants and bars to capitalize on the vast population of non-smokers allowing freedom of choice to prevail.
As for your so-called "lost profits" - NYC has not lost any of its late-night appeal or revenue since their ban so get some facts before predicting an Armageddon of the bar/restaurant industry. "Although one of the most common sources of resistance to bans comes from businesses concerned that they will suffer financial losses due to lost customers, research seems to offer them some re***urances. A review published in 2003 of 97 studies on the economic effects of smoking bans on the hospitality industry shows that all the best designed studies report no impact or a positive impact of smoke-free restaurant and bars laws on sales or employment." See: Scollo, M. et al. "Review of the quality of studies on the economic effects of smoke-free policies on the hospitality industry" Tobacco Control 2003; 12: 13-20
Besides, if you want to talk about financial impact - the amount of money that tax payers are forced to pay in state health care costs EVERY year for smokers is astronomical.
In the meantime, for people like Mike (May 2, 2007 3:29:12 PM) who have not been to the bar since the ban, perhaps you should consider a healthier lifestyle other than becoming a hobbit. If you must smoke, just do so outside and avoid killing people like me, the bartender and the waitress. Thanks.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoking_ban
Footnotes, info, etc.
Oh by the way.. pick up your butts- stop flicking them out the window,on the sidewalks, on the road, etc. Its your trash, your cancer sticks. Be responsible and dispose of your death certificate the appropiate way.
Governement should not tell us what to do but when the majority of people are saying I WANT TO BE SMOKE FREE, let them p*** the law and get it do. Especially for my children -who have a right to into cafes, restaurants and eat w/o having smoke 'cling' to their clothes.
If we go out to eat at a place that has smoking? I make the kids stop in the laundry room ,strip down - and go take showers as soon as we are in the house- I immediately wash all our clothes to get the stinky cancer filled smoke out of house and out of our bodies~. Let me say this- we dont go to many places like that anymore