I call bullshit! It is the "smoking public", a distinct minority, that is imposing its smoke on the rest of us.[Illinois] House Bill 672, which would give local governments the power to ban smoking in indoor workplaces, including bars and restaurants, has passed both the House and Senate and awaits Gov. Rod Blagojevich's signature or veto. A spokeswoman for the governor said Tuesday his office is reviewing the bill.
Smoking bans have become all the rage among states and cities in the East and California, but four Springfield aldermen - Ward 1 Ald. Frank Edwards, Ward 2 Ald. Frank McNeil, Ward 3 Ald. Frank Kunz and Ward 4 Ald. Chuck Redpath - said they would likely oppose such a measure here.
Even though all four volunteered that they are nonsmokers, they said they are concerned about the effect a ban could have on businesses and are reluctant to impose their will on the smoking public.
"A patron who pays his money to come in should be allowed a certain level of entertainment and enjoyment," McNeil said.A certain level, yes; to the detriment of other's enjoyment, no.
"No, no, no, no," said Kunz. "It's none of my business. If you don't want to go to a restaurant that has smoking, then don't go. I don't think government ought to be sticking their nose into it."I think the burden here is on the smoker who can take their smoking to a place where it won't bother anyone.
California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island ban smoking in all private workplaces, including bars and restaurants. Five other states ban smoking in restaurants, but not standalone bars. South Dakota bans smoking in restaurants but not their bar areas. Georgia bans smoking in bars and restaurants, except the ones that serve and employ only those above the age of 18.And you know what, business is doing just fine in those states. Want a local example:
Ned Kelly's, an Australian-themed steakhouse on Springfield's west side, recently went smoke-free and has seen an increase in business, said general manager Alex Reynolds.
"You wouldn't believe how many people come out and just praise us for being smoke-free," Reynolds said. "They come here more. Our regular smokers, they still come. They just wait until they're done eating."
How 'bout that. It works for everyone.
Gawd, what a bunch of morons we have on the Springfield City Council.
UPDATE: ET posts another local example in the comments. He says:
Years ago I worked for a local, and popular, restaurant - which is still doing very well.
The owners of the restaurant decided to ask if they should ban smoking permanently (after participating in a smoke free week - part an annual program sponsored by the American Cancer society)
We distributed, I believe it was, over a thousand surveys to our patrons. We made them available for several weeks. We asked if they wanted the restaurant to become smoke free.
Overwhelmingly, (well over ninety pecent) they responded, yes, become smoke free.
True, we had a lot of well educated, professional types coming in - mixed with tourist. So not every bar, or restaurant will have the same experience.
We lost a few regulars, at first, but the business lost was more than made up for by very happy customers - plus most of those who couldn't smoke came back anyway - they were hungry - and liked our food more than the cigarettes.
4 comments:
During my lunch time walks I've noticed something rather sad.
As I walk past the smokers piled up outside, like so many smokes in a pack, for their lunchtime drug inhalation therapy, I can't but help notice the fact that for the most part I'm seeing older folk, less educated (I know which job titles these folk hold).
For the most part, they look unhealthy, and unhappy - not many smiles.
Smoking is very much a thing of the past. It slithers on only because it is in fact a drug addiction - and the drug pushers buy up the politicians - so the drug can continue to be sold - and continue to harm society.
To think that these city council members somehow just don't get it, or couldn't care less - shows just how little it takes to be an alderman in the city of Springfield.
One day in the future there will be history books (will there still be books then?) showing black and white photos of Chinese puffing on opium pipes back at the turn of the 19th Century, posted alongside photos of turn of the Century (20th) American's puffing on cigarettes.
With the same caption.
ET
Another comment.
Years ago I worked for a local, and popular, restaraunt - which is still doing very well.
The owners of the restaraunt decided to ask if they should ban smoking permanently (after participating in a smoke free week - part an annual program sponsored by the American Cancer society)
We distributed, I believe it was, over a thousand surveys to our patrons. We made them available for several weeks. We asked if they wanted the restaraunt to become smoke free.
Overwhelmingly, (well over ninety pecent) they responded, yes, become smoke free.
True, we had a lot of well educated, professional types coming in - mixed with tourist. So not every bar, or restaraunt will have the same experience.
We lost a few regulars, at first, but the business lost was more than made up for by very happy customers - plus most of those who couldn't smoke came back anyway - they were hungry - and liked our food more than the cigarettes.
We took a chance, but if the entire city banned smoking in bars, and restaraunts there wouldn't be any alternative - which would mean no decline in business for anyone - except the merchants of death.
Those Alderman need to get with it.
Also, the owners of the restaraunt recieved a lower fire insurance premium!
ET
Isn't someone going to point out my poor spelling?
Restaurant, damn it!
ET
I once went to a restaurant that boasted to other customers in the restaurant that they only had one non-smoking table. The table was small and centered in the room so as to be surrounded on all sides by smoking tables. They thought it was funny. I have never returned.
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