CO: Smoking ban may be snuffed

DenverPost.com ^ | 3-23-05 | Mark P. Couch

[SheLion]

Davis suggested that Hillman is swaying votes because he has previously accepted money from the tobacco industry.

Sure.  Anytime someone wants to help private business owner's and to stop the economy choking smoking bans, we are accused of working for Big Tobacco!  This is a blatant lie! 

[SheLion]

[SheLion]

[Raycpa]

The bill's sponsors lined up several key industry groups, including the Colorado Restaurant Association, to support the measure.

[buffyt]

I just wonder what is next? First tobacco, then fast foods, what is next? I thought we were a FREE country!

[cyborg]

I rather have someone smoke in front of me than chew tobacco. I nearly fainted when a man expelled his mouth contents into a paper cup in front of me *lol*

[metesky]

Senate Minority Leader Mark Hillman of Burlington said all 17 Republican senators are opposing the bill because it infringes on personal freedom and property rights.

Republicans with cajones? Nah, can't be...

[johnb838]

Doesn't matter anyway, they're going to starve us all to death for smoking.

[metesky]

Even playing field, blah, blah, blah.

The restaurant associations are tools of the "Big Franchise" operations and see this as a way to drive the mom and pop neighborhood bars out of business.

Follow the money, minnie.

[Road Warrior ‘04]

"I don't smoke, and I think it's disgusting," Hillman said. "But I'm sick and tired of all these nannies running around telling people what to do."

Finally!!! Somebody is getting it right! Taking away the rights of business owners has got to stop! If one doesn't want to be around smokers in a bar or restaurant that allows smoking, then don't go in the establishment. Your choice!

The bill's sponsors lined up several key industry groups, including the Colorado Restaurant Association, to support the measure.

And, their donations toward the smoking ban speaks volumes!

[Raycpa]

Follow the money, minnie.

Apparently smoker's business isn't profitable.

[whereasandsoforth]

I think you misunderstood. The association is for the ban. The ban would drive moms & pops out of business. Big chains would benefit.

[Gabz]

This is a blatant lie!

You are absolutley correct.........especially in light of the fact that Philip Morris refuses to step in and oppose the issue of smoker bans.

[CSM]

Yep, an organization asking for more government at higher levels. Sounds like it is worth the support of all governments.

---

“As the number of local smoking bans has increased, momentum has grown among our members to support a statewide ban because they want a ‘level playing field’ for all operators rather than a patchwork of local ordinances,” said Pete Meersman, president and CEO of the 4,500-member CRA.

http://www.coloradorestaurant.com/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=105

[SheLion]

I just wonder what is next? First tobacco, then fast foods, what is next? I thought we were a FREE country!

We ARE free except when it comes to smoking and smokers.  The lawmakers are doing everything they can to punish, control and ban us.  One would have thought they would have started with banning tobacco first, right?

They sure can't live without smoker's tax dollars though.  And to think that the tax dollars on cigarettes are paying for all of this abuse is mind boggling.

[Gabz]

The association is for the ban. The ban would drive moms & pops out of business. Big chains would benefit.

That is EXACTLY what is going on here. The restaurant associations are, for the most part, controlled by the chains. As a rule they can handle a downward turn in business because they know their competition can't withstand it.......in a short period of time the chains will be the only games left in town.

Smoker bans are government sanctioned monompoly deals for the chain restaurants.

[SheLion]

We all know about YOU Raycpa. Do you actually think any of us CARE what your opinion's are? You have become a laughing stock on these threads.

Get a life!

[Gabz]

don't encourage the trolls.

[SheLion]

Republicans with cajones? Nah, can't be...

I wonder if we have any of those in Maine?  Ah...........guess not. :(

[SheLion]

Finally!!! Somebody is getting it right! Taking away the rights of business owners has got to stop! If one doesn't want to be around smokers in a bar or restaurant that allows smoking, then don't go in the establishment. Your choice!