Posted on 04/18/2005 1:37:16 PM PDT by wmichgrad
Ditto. LOL. You have a good sense of humor.
Dear Mr. XXXXX,
Thank you for contacting my office. I appreciate you taking the time to share your concerns with House Bill 4624. It appears that we will have to agree to disagree on this subject.
I believe by making Michigan bars and restaurants smoke-free state wide we will level the playing field for all establishment owners. Right now as the law stands, restaurants can go smoke-free but they stand the chance of losing business because the restaurant next door may not go the same route. If both are under the same law, they will then continue to operate on a level playing field.
Many critics speak of the amount of business that will be lost by going smoke-free. From the data that is available, this is simply not true.
Smoke-free Air Saves Businesses Money. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the cost savings of eliminating secondhand smoke in the workplace from reducing premature deaths and tobacco-related illnesses to be between $35 and $66 billion a year.
Smoke-free Laws Do Not Harm Restaurant Sales. In fact, more people are demanding smoke-free establishments. Data from the New York City Department of Finance show that tax receipts increased by 8.7 percent, or approximately $1.4 million.
Nearly 8 in 10 (80 percent) of respondents of a poll commissioned in Michigan state they would be “more likely” or “just as likely” to patronize the restaurants they typically go to if they became smoke-free
Smoke-free Air Laws Do Not Harm Bars. There has not yet been a study that has proven smoke-free air laws negatively affect the bar industry. Research on smoke-free communities in California, Massachusetts, Oregon, Texas, New York and Florida show that smoke-free air ordinances had no negative effect on bar sales.
Smoke-free Laws Do Not Increase Unemployment. A study conducted by the New York City Department of Finance reported 10,600 new jobs in its bars and restaurants between March 2003 and December 2003.
Consumer choice is often mentioned when people criticize this bill, and I believe this is important, however what about worker choice? Consumers can choose to go to a smoke-free restaurant or to sit in the non-smoking section, but what about the waitress or the bartender at that establishment? They are not afforded the same choice. With Michigan having the nation’s highest unemployment rate I don’t believe it is as easy as some claim to just get another job.
The science of how damaging secondhand smoke is can not be ignored. Also let us remember the nearly 17 million Americans that suffer from asthma and are not able to enjoy a night out because of the risk of inhaling secondhand smoke.
Secondhand smoke causes between 35,000 and 40,000 deaths from heart disease every year.
12,000 otherwise healthy nonsmokers will die of some form of cancer, 3,000 specifically to lung cancer, because of their exposure to secondhand smoke.
Secondhand smoke contains over 4000 substances, more than 60 of which are known or suspected to cause cancer.
Some restaurants and bars have invested money for non-smoking sections as well as smoke eating machines, but this does not go far enough. There are still a number of restaurants and bars that do not have ample smoke eating devices for their establishments. It is argued that if someone doesn’t want to eat in a smoke filled environment, then they can go to another restaurant. Let us be reasonable here, this is often not an option. The number of restaurants that are smoke-free is minimal compared to those that allow smoking. I think its time to consider the person who wishes to breathe clean air.
Again, thank you for contacting my office. If you wish to keep up with the status of this bill on your own you can search for HB 4624 at www.legislature.mi.gov.
Sincerely, Barb Vander Veen
I believe by making Michigan bars and restaurants smoke-free state wide we will level the playing field for all establishment owners. Right now as the law stands, restaurants can go smoke-free but they stand the chance of losing business because the restaurant next door may not go the same route. If both are under the same law, they will then continue to operate on a level playing field.
First she admits that non-smoking hurts business and then she says - so let's hurt ALL business.
Hey lady - did you ever here of let the market decide? No, I didn't think so.
Why in heaven's name do people keep electing these control freaks?????
I'll get into the rest of her crapola after a good night's sleep.
Thank you for your post, Peter Libra :) The older I get, the less tolerant I am when it comes to rude and obnoxious behaviour, and if good people do not speak out, then who will? Perhaps some folks do not mind being known for their lack of grace and manners, and maybe they enjoy the attention their disruptive behaviour causes. But I think most people prefer to be known for their kind words and deeds, and the ability to converse with others in a mature fashion.
As for the smoking bans......I tell ya, it's yet another dagger into the heart of freedom. I feel it is a disgrace that those who do not wish to smoke are now forcing their personal preferences on those who do. I understood why they banned smoking on planes because a non-smoker can't just walk out of the plane when he/she wants to. Well, not without a parachute. lol But when one is on the ground, one has many choices. And now they want to ban smoking in outside areas as well, and force businesses to be smoke-free, even when they are privately owned. Yes, that is irritating, and THAT is an understatement. :)
"I believe by making Michigan bars and restaurants smoke-free state wide we will level the playing field for all establishment owners."
Right there lies a huge portion of the problem. Liberals want all playing fields to be level. Life is not level, life was not meant to be level. Thanks for posting Barb Vander Veen's letter, Hot Tabasco. :)
Dream on my FRiend, dream on. I think we have the 2nd or 3rd highest tobacco taxes in the country.
They want us to pay for the schools, but we can't smoke anywhere. Goverment logic!!!
I was just saying the antis sound like liberals. The hate on the freep bothers me.
I have tried to get them to cut it loose and let it float away, or build a wall around it an forget it.
No luck yet.
Becki
I have a suggestion for you your Highness, why not allow the citizens of Michigan to vote on your proposal rather than let you and your fellow elected elitists dictate what you deem to be good for us?
Furthermore, I also propose that such bill only be passed by a MAJORITY OF THE REGISTERED VOTERS in the state of Michigan rather than merely a majority of those who vote.
IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK OR DO YOU FEAR THE COMMON SENSE RATIONALE OF THOSE YOU OVERSEE?
Here is her response to me:
Dear Mr. XXXXX,
Thank you for your interest in a continued dialogue on this issue.
I believe there is interest in a ballot initiative for this bill if it stalls in the legislature. I don't believe this would work for all items that we vote on, because of the sheer volume of bills, but if the public wishes to vote on this issue I would welcome a group having this put on the ballot. I would like to let you know that out of the calls and emails my office has received the overwhelming majority is in favor of this legislation.
Our form of government was set up so that the people would elect representatives to vote for them on the matters that come before the government. It isn't feasible to have a majority of registered voters take a look at bills like this. I believe often times a majority of registered voters do not make their votes heard when we are voting in a presidential election, so it would be even tougher for all issues like this.
Again, thank you for contacting my office.
Sincerely,
Barb Vander Veen
Here is my follow up to her:
Dear Barbara,
I really hate to say this but you are nothing more than a typical lying democrat who uses false arguments and fraudulent statistics in order to push your own personal agenda. The reason you are afraid of utilizing a majority of the registered voters is that it enables you and your ilk to utilize the silent voice of those who could care less about your smoking issues to your own advantage. In political speak, that is called "Tyranny of the Minority"!
Here is a quote from your own statement which pretty much sums up your lame argument against smoking and the one which all liberals such as you ultimately rely on to support your unsupportable arguments:
"I believe by making Michigan bars and restaurants smoke-free state wide we will level the playing field for all establishment owners."
Unfortunately those neighborhood bar owners, those bars you would never ever think about stepping foot into, are the businesses who are going to suffer the most. Their clientele are the hard working blue coller workers who stop by after work to down a few beers, shoot some pool and smoke cigarettes. What do you think is going to happen to them when your tobacco police decide to stop by just to see if anyone is smoking? Oh, its going to be a couple $500 dollar fines or so then the penalty will increase to the point where the owner is going to have to tell his patrons "no more smoking". At that point his patrons will tell him to kiss his ass and head on home for his brews instead. Then the bar goes out of business...........
In your arguments to the legislature, you never once mentioned the disasterous effects your smoking bans have across this united states on the neighborhood mom and pops but you didn't really care did you? You elitists never do!
Here's some results of your socialist feel good anti-tobacco bans:
FREEPERS, PLEASE IGNORE THE FOLLOWING LIST, I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO FORMAT IT FOR THIS POSTING
Businesses Harmed by Smoking Bans Businesses Harmed by Smoking Bans Anti-smoking organizations insist that bans are somehow good for people in hospitality businesses. This chart shows otherwise. These businesses have lost a significant amount of business as a direct result of smoking bans. Many are closed. Many that are still open have told us they doubt they'll survive much longer. Sources: 85-90% of the information on this list comes from news articles. Most of them are listed here. The rest comes from owners who have contacted me directly, usually through e-mail. Blank spaces represent data that is unavailable or that doesn't apply. Note: Due to time commitments elsewhere, I'm no longer able to keep this list up to date. For the most up to date version, please click here. Many thanks to Samantha Philips for taking over this time consuming job. Business Type Of Business Closed? Business Lost Tips Lost Jobs Lost City State/ Country Oscar's Place Bar/Restaurant 40% 3 Anchorage AK "I opened my door 13 years ago to give the common man a place to go. Now 3 years after the do gooders passed the smoking ban, my business still hasn't recovered, and I may have to close my doors forever." Cafe Santa Fe Restruant Closed 100% 100% Fayetteville AR Casa Taco Restruant Closed 100% 100% Fayetteville AR "Sales dropped off dramatically. We lost our late-night business ... a lot of people come in after the bars close." Hoffbrau Bar/Restruant Closed 100% 100% Fayetteville AR Before closing, The Hoffbrau reported a 50% drop in liquor sales due to the ban. Ozark Brewing Co Brew Pub Closed 100% 100% Fayetteville AR Crocodile Cafe Restaurant Closed 100% 100% Tempe AZ Pooch's Easy Street Billiards Pool Hall Closed 100% 100% Tempe AZ Calico Saloon Tavern 30% 5 Lancaster CA Daddy's Lounge Tavern 35% 3 Long Beach CA Doherty's Tavern 66% Tulare CA Dunkhouse Saloon Tavern 50% Clearlake Oaks CA Femino's Blue Gum Restaurant Closed 100% 100% Willow CA Fireside Lounge Tavern 70% Escondido CA Grand Central Casino Casino 42% 15 Lakewood CA Since the ban took effect in February, liquor sales are down 42 percent and food sales have dropped 25 percent. Fifteen employees have been laid off and another 40 to 50 jobs are in jeopardy. Laurel Bowl Bowling Alley Closed 100% 100% San Luis Obispo CA 385 league bowlers quit when the smoking ban went into effect, with a loss of $200,000. Laurel Bowl had been in business for 37 years before the ban. Marco Polo Lounge Tavern 80% Tulare CA "On nights where we allow our patrons to smoke, we make about $120 a night. Last Monday we didn't allow our customers to smoke. Our total sales were five dollars." Rim Ram Tavern 75-90% Santa Fe CA Before the smoking ban, we would take in about nine-hundred dollars on Wednesday nights. The week following the start of the smoking ban we barely made three-hundred dollars. The next week we only made seventy-five dollars, and we made even less in the weeks following," The Lika Club Tavern 60% Bell CA The Old Dog House Tavern Closed 100% 100% Soulsbyville CA Bart's Bar/Restaurant Closed 100% 100% Louisville CO Bart's had been in operation for nearly 30 years. Red Garter Lounge Tavern 45% Greeley CO Roasty's Steakhouse Restaraunt 60% Greeley CO Union Colony Brewery Brew Pub Closed 100% 100% Greeley CO Bear and Grill Bar/Restaurant 30-40% Fairfield CT "I used to close down at 1 a.m. Now I close down at 9:30. The next three hours are dead." Brown Derby Tavern 50% Montville CT La Primavera Restaurant Closed 100% 100% Meriden CT When the statewide smoking ban snuffed out cigarettes in his bar area last October, 80 percent of his business went up in smoke. The restaurant was one of the few family restaurants remaining in the city. Pinstripes Sports Bar Closed 100% 100% Norwich CT Pinstripes Sports Cafe Sports Bar Closed 100% 100% Norwich CT Rack N' Roll Pool Hall 30% Stamford CT Tracie's Pub Tavern 40% Bristol CT My business has dropped about 30 to 40 percent since the smoking ban. I've spoken with a lot of bar owners in town and they all have the same problem. Back Stage Cafe Bar/Restaurant Closed 100% 100% 20 Wilmington DE Coach House Bar/Restaurant Closed 100% 100% 8 Wilmington DE Just Mugs Saloon Tavern 33% Bear DE Naamans Cafe Restaurant Closed 100% 100% 8 Wilmington DE Bogey's Restaurant/Sports Pub >20% Venice FL Cherry Pocket Restraunt 30% 30% Lake Wales FL Small business work so hard for their business, it is hard to believe the Goverment can just take it away without any thought at all. Collier Lee Vending Vending Machines 40% N/A Cape Coral FL We have over 60 customer accounts in 4 counties all of which have shown losses of 25% to 60% since the start of the ban. Double Nichol Pub Tavern 10% 10% 3 St.James City FL Elks Private Club 50% (Bingo Ft. Pierce FL "Our Charity money is down 50% or more over this time last year. We are going to be able to spend only about $5,000.00 this year on our Christmas programs vs. $12,000.00 plus last year. The Christmas programs include Salvation Army, Waterfront Mission, Sharing and Caring (food bank) and then we take needy families shopping for food, clothes and a few toys for the kids. We did about 17 families Elks #1795 (Private Club) Lodge Private Club 40% 22% Fort Walton FL "Charity money is down 45%. Our Charities are Kids of Florida and the Veterans. That is who is really getting hurt the most by this!" Elks #2256 (Private Club) Lodge Private Club 20% 30% Pensacola Beach FL "We've lost 70 members because of the ban" Elks #2273 (Private Club) Lodge Private Club 60% 60% 1 Plantation FL Grandma's Kitchen Restaurant Closed 100% 100% 5 Thonotosas FL Gulf Harbor Yacht Club Private Club 68% New Port Richey FL Jerseys Sports Cafe Sports Bar 25% 20% 4 North Fort FL Whatever happened to the individuals freedom to choose where you go and what you do in public? Melons Bar & Grill Bar/Restaurant Closed 100% 100% 4 Port Charlotte FL Before closing they experienced a 50% loss in sales and a 60% loss in tips becuase of the smoking ban. Miller's Ale House (35 Locations) Jupiter (and FL After the law took effect July 1, 2003, the Ale House chain experienced the first decline in business in its 15-year history, said Dave Reid, vice president for operations. ...For the first five months of 2004 alcoholic beverages sales were down $2 million compared with January through May of 2003" The Falls Restaurant Closed 100% 100% Naples FL "We lost 70 percent of our income," Renzello said. "The law put us out of business." 90 percent of her customers were smokers. Toucans Bar & Grill 30-40% 50% 3 Tampa FL Zook's West Palm Beach FL "It has almost put me out of business. We are down about 45 percent for each month," Zook said. "Our food sales were 48 percent of our business. Now they are down to 10 percent. A lot of people who had drinks with lunch or dinner are not coming in now. They can't eat here." Village Inn Sports Bar 37% 6 Skokie IL Friends and Company Bar/Restaraunt 30% Lexington KY The restaurant has experienced the lowest revenue in the last 19 months. Jackpot Bingo 50% Tatets Creek KY The Tates Creek High School Marching Band stands to lose about $80,000 this year in bingo money. Lynagh's Pub Bar/Restruant 40% Lexington KY "Smokers still come, but not as often and they don't stay as long. " Maxwell's Tavern Closed 100% 100% Lexington KY Maxwells had been open for 14 years. Nicholson's Cigar Bar Cigar Bar 100% 100% Lexington KY Owners of Nicholson's Cigar Bar say it didn't make sense to operate a smoke-less cigar bar Aloha Tavern Closed 100% 100% Hingham MA Blarney Stone Tavern 25% Springfield MA Blue Room Cafe Tavern 25% Chicopee Falls MA The business has been open since 1936 City Line Cafe Tavern 50% Springfield MA "People are complaining about it. They're saying 'Why go out for a drink when I can buy a six-pack and sit at home?' It's really hurting us." Gold Mine Restaraunt Bar/Restaraunt 50% 50% 2 Fall River MA "There should be places for both the smoker and nonsmoker. I do not smoke but you are killing our business!!! " J.C. Grear's Restaurant Closed 100% 100% South Weymouth MA Marlboro Cozy Cafe 60% 2 Marlboro MA We had 5 employees, now have 3 and that includes me. If this is result of one month of the ban after 35yrs in business I may have to close my doors. Anchor Inn restaurant Closed 100% 100% Gaithersburg MD Since the ban was implemented October 2003 Anchor Inn suffered a 40 percent loss in Keno, beer, wine, liquor and food sales. Buffalo Billiards Pool Hall 50% Gaithersburg MD Buffalo Wings and Beer Bar/Restaurant 50% Gaithersburg MD Corner Pub Tavern 40% Silver Spring MD Dietle's Tavern Tavern Closed 100% Silver Spring MD Gentleman Jim's Restaurant 40% Gaithersburg MD Grand Marquis Caf‚ 30% Olney MD J.J. Muldoon's Bar/Restaurant 20% Gaithersburg MD Mark Timmons Tavern 20% Rockville MD Middlebrook Restaurant and Lounge Bar/Restaurant 50% Germantown MD "I'm so bitter today because I have worked too hard to keep this business going. It's just not fair." Mrs. O'Leary's Restaurant and Pub 50% Gaithersburg MD Normandie Farm's Bar/Restruant 50% 2 Tysons Corner MD Pelican Pete's Restaurant 60% Germantown MD Potomac Valley Lodge Lodge 17% 75% 4 Poolesville MD "I think in the future we'll have to close in the winter. We'll lay everyone off, let them collect unemployment for a few months and bring them back. They'd make more on unemployment." Quarry House Tavern 70% Silver Spring MD New customers who come to the bar because it's smoke-free don't bring in the revenue that smokers did, she said. "They have one beer, a glass of water and something to eat," she said, whereas smokers tend to stay longer and eat and drink more alcohol. Silver Fountain Restaurant Restaurant 33% Rockville MD Stained Glass Pub Tavern 30% Olney MD Uncle Jed's Roadhouse Tavern 50% 70% 2 Bethesda MD ...Smaller establishments have seen total sales decline by an average of 30 percent during the week and 50 percent on weekends, according to Melvin Thompson, vice president of the Restaurant Association of Maryland Black Duck Lounge Tavern 70% Houlton ME "I've never seen it like this before. It's like all the customers just disappeared." Nutshell Tavern Tavern Closed 100% 100% Biddeford ME Village Variety Closed 100% Fryeburg ME Grandma's Restaraunt 33% Cloquet MN Perkins Restaraunt 26% Duluth MN Aessa Bar/Restaurant 35% 6 New York NY Airport Inn Tavern 40% Binghamton NY Evans says business has dropped at least 40-percent in the last year. Her liquor license expires next April, and she says, she doesn't plan on renewing it. The Airport Inn was a successful business for 18 years. American Legion Private Club 60% 50% Elmira Heights NY American Legion Post 1041 Bingo Hall 68% Buffalo NY Amherst Bowling Center Bowling Alley Closed 100% Buffalo NY Argyle's EasyStreet Tavern Tavern 12% Cortland NY Athens Cafe Restaurant 55% 10 Astoria NY B&G Bar and Grill Bar/Restaurant 30% Buffalo NY Barker Brew Pub Bre Pub Closed 100% 100% Fredonia NY Closed after 10 yrs. in business Barrie's Tavern Tavern 40% Syracuse NY Bec's Ivy Grill Bar & Grill 23% 3 Oneida NY Blarney Stone Bar/Restaurant 15% 1 New York NY Blessed Sacrament Church Bingo Hall 50% Albany NY Blinkey's Tavern Closed 100% 100% Delhi NY Blondie's Tavern Tavern 25% Elmira Heights NY Bowl-O-Drome Bowling Alley 14% 2 Ithica NY TThe business lost almost $30,000 and 110 bowlers during the 32-week league season... In the bowling alley's busiest months between January and May, Parkin saw a 14 percent decrease in activity comparing the same period in 2004 to 2003. Brazen Head Pub Tavern 40% Monroe NY Brown Shanty Tavern 20% 1 Watertown NY Buoy's Dockside Tavern Tavern 36.5% Oswego NY Cabaret Tavern 40% 1 Buffalo NY Caffe on the Green Bar/Restaraunt 35% New York NY Bar business fell about 35 percent immediately after the ban. It has picked up since he added a "butt hut," an outdoor tent where patrons may smoke, but it's still less than before the ban. Canandaigua Billiards Pool Hall 40% Canandaigua NY Caseys Pub Tavern 35% 1 Sunnyside NY Castle Heights Tavern Closed 100% 100% New York NY Celtic Cultural Organization Bingo Hall 30-35% Troy NY "From July 25 through Nov. 1, we are down about $12,000 from the same period last year." Central Hotel Bar/Restaurant 50% Port Leyden NY Champions Billiards Cafe Brew Pub/Pool Hall 33% Parkville NY Chances Tavern Closed 100% 100% Falconer NY Chili American Legion Post 1830 Private Club 70% Scottsville NY Christanis Bar and Grill Tavern 40% Rochester NY Clifford's Tavern Bar/Restaurant 40% Cold Brook NY Coin Operated Amusements Vending Machines 20-50% Jamestown NY Revenue from vending machines and games cut in half in many places. Coldspring Volunteer Fire Dept. Tavern 50% 75% 1 Steamburg NY The fire department owns the bar. Money from the bar buys equipment for the fire department. The income has been cut in half. This money buys new ambulances, trucks, gear ect. Remember, this all volunteer. Without the bar money we are going to have to rely on the town for revenue. You may lose your house or even someone's life without the money for the equipment. Coleman's Irish Pub Bar/Restaurant 19% 4 Syracuse NY Cook Bar & Grill Bar/Restaurant 40% 2 Buffalo NY Cork and Bottle Tavern Closed 100% 100% Potville NY Located near the PA border, this was literally a Mom and Pop business, run by a couple with no employees to "protect." Crossroads Steak House Restaurant Closed 100% 100% Kennedy NY D&S Diner Restaurant Closed 100% 100% Savannah NY Sales were down $3,000 in July 2002 compared to July 2001. Hardest hit were on Friday nights and Sunday mornings. Dadio's Central Tavern 30% Corfu NY Damon's Party House Tavern 40% Cicero NY Delmar Sportsman's Tavern Tavern 30% 1 Massena NY "We had hoped...nonsmokers who haven't been frequenting taverns due to the smoke-filled air would make up for at least some of the financial loss. Unfortunately, at least in our place, this has most definitely not happened. Our sales are at an all time low" Desperado's Tavern 90% Wallkill NY "I can count on my fingers the people who don't smoke who come in here. The regulars say they won't come." Doc's little Gem Diner 27% Syracuse NY "We fought tooth and nail and won a local County victory, only for the state to turn it over to a complete ban." Dodesters Tavern 20% Syracuse NY "My business is down 20% from the same period last year, even though I'm now open three more hours a day and I didn't have a kitchen then." Eagle Beverage Company Distributor 25% N/A Oswego NY "Deliveries to pubs and taverns have decreased substantially, greater than 25 percent." Edigan's Restaurant Closed 100% 100% Binghamton NY Elbo Room Tavern Closed 100% 100% New York NY Elks Lodge (Private Club) Private Club Closed 100% Jamestown NY Bingo, which funded their charitable work, is now completely shut down. End Zone Bar/Restaurant 30% 1 Liverpool NY Euzkadi Restaurant 50% New York NY Fiddler's Green Tavern Closed 100% 100% New York NY We have just lost too many customers to this law, which I did not vote for, bar owners did not vote for, bartenders did not vote for, and the public did not vote for." Fieldstone Recreation Billiard/Bar/Snacks 40% 1 Bronx NY Finish Line Bar/Restaurant 40% 2 Bellerose NY Five Corners Bar/Restaurant 32 oneida NY After 20 years of hard work this is what NY state does to us. Where are all these nonsmokers? Fountain Bowl Bowling Alley 40% N/A 8 Jamestown NY Freddies Bar/Restaurant 50% 3 Buffalo NY Friar Tuck's Restaurant 50% Cotati NY "Just as my establishment was beginning to flourish, I'm hit with this smoking ban which has killed my daytime business. People who used to stay for a couple of hours now only stay for one quick drink and leave." Fulton Ale House Tavern 25% Fulton NY George & Shirl's Tiny Tavern Tavern 41% Southport NY In October 2002, the bar made $6,000. This past October, after the ban went into effect, they made just $3,500, Golden Rail Ale House Tavern 25% Newburgh NY Hancock's Hudson Tavern Bar/Restaurant 15% Rochester NY Harry's Hanover Square Bar/Restaraunt Closed 100% 100 New York NY "Overnight, we lost 60 percent of our evening bar trade. For the bar, it was the difference in profit and loss. Sales of expensive cigars had been almost as important as the sales of Scotch" Harry's had been in business for more than thirty years Harter's Bar/Restaurant 40% Camden NY Holmes & Watson's Tavern 30% Troy NY Hotel McDonald Hotel 70% Bath NY Ireland's 32 Tavern 50% Suffern NY Jean's Bar & Grill Tavern 26% Wilson NY Just One More Tavern 30% Bath NY KayCey's Tavern 45% Hyde Park NY Kim's Trackside Tavern Tavern 25% 25% Auburn NY Our local cayuga county health dept. continues to refuse to issue smoking waivers to businesses who have suffered a financial hardship. Knights of Columbus Bingo Hall 80% Malone NY La Bataclana Tavern Closed 100% 100% Jackson Heights NY Lakeview Hotel/Blues Rock Cafe Tavern 50% 50% mayville NY On the first day of the ban, my tips and number of customers dropped 50%, and never came back up. Le Bar Bat Tavern Closed 100% 100% New York NY Liberty Lanes Bowling 27% Camden NY Madame X Tavern 50% New York NY Mama Lena's Restaurant Closed 100% 100% Binghamton NY Mama Lena's had been in business for more than 40 years. Manhattan Beer Distributors Vendor 19% New York NY Stagnant sales have led to a 7% drop in beer demand citywide, and a 19% drop citywide to clubs. Maple Tree Inn Tavern Closed 100% 100% 3 Portville NY Mel's Place Tavern 78% 100% Falconer NY After proving they had lost significant business, Mel's place was granted of the NY's few wavers. Their business immediately returned to the pre ban level, but the owners are worried about what will happen when the waver runs out in a year. Metropolitan Restaurant Bar/Restaurant 25% 2 Cheektowaga NY Middleport Inn Bar/Restaurant Closed 100% 100% 13 Middleport NY "This damn state really knows how to kill people's dreams." Millennium Restaurant 40% 3 New York NY Mills Race Restaurant Bar/Restaurant 40% 2.5 Mt. Morrison NY Nibsy's Pub Bar/Restaurant 18% Syracuse NY Nocturne Nightclub Closed 100% 100% 70 New York NY O'Neill's Tavern 20% 3 New York NY "People who don't go to pubs just don't go to pubs. They said the ban would be good for business and for employees, yet my business is down and three good staff are out of work and unable to find another job...Most of my staff are smokers, and now they're being protected from second-hand smoke." Olympian Sumont Inc Pool Hall/Bar/Rest 40% 3 Long Island NY Open Net Lounge Tavern 11% Massena NY O's Place Tavern Closed 100% 100% Endicott NY Pangaea Tavern Closed 100% 100% New York NY Panorama Sports Bar/Night Club 50% 50% 4 Rochester NY We are a small night club that was doing very well until the smoking ban hit us and it hit us very hard. We are very scared of our future, if any . Partner's Pub Bar/Restaurant 20% 1 Johnstown NY Patsy's Lounge Tavern 46.4% 50% 2 Jamestown NY "I have let 2 employees go and the other 3 have had their hours cut in half." Peter K's Bar/Restaurant 35% 2 Cheektowaga NY Pocketeer Billiards Pool Hall 60-70% Buffalo NY "The President says small business is the backbone of our country, NYS says screw small business just give us your money and your blood! All of it!!!!!! Pocketeer Billiards South Pool Hall Closed 100% Springville NY From the Owner: "Pocketeer Billiards South is now officially closed due to the Hitler like laws the NYS. Politicians have enacted! NY continues in its efforts to drive business out to other states. I like many others have now chosen to leave after living here 58 years." Rafferty's Bar/Restaurant 35% 2 Syracuse NY Richard's Ole Timer Bar/Restaurant 17% 1 Clay NY Riverside Lanes Bowling 20% 2 Marcy NY Roesch's Tavern Closed 100% 100% New York NY Lauterborn, 60, said his bar, Roesch's in Queens, saw 40 customers nightly before the ban but only about five after it. He closed in September and says his children are supporting him while he looks for work. His tavern had been a 100 year old family owned business. Rough Kutts Tavern Tavern 21% 1 South Dayton, NY Roy D Graves VFW Post 1194 Tavern 22% Potsdam NY Salingers Tavern 35% 2 Rochester NY Sammy G's Bar/Restaurant 50% Rome NY Seven's Bar Tavern 30% Malone NY Shamrock Tavern Tavern 50% Oswego NY "It's not right. Our livelihood is being taken away." Sharkey's Sports Bar and Grill Sports Bar 60% Staten Island NY Shorty's Sports Bar & Grill Bar/Restaurant 30% Utica, NY Silo's Bar & Grill 35% Chestnut Ridge NY Slade Restaurant 40% New York NY Slick Willie's Pool Hall 25% Tonawanda NY Southgate Lanes Bowling Alley/Bar 55% 7 West Seneca NY Stumble Inn Tavern Closed 100% 100% Champlain NY Sugoba Bistro Bistro Closed 100% 100% 28 New York NY After 8 years of success in NYC, the NY smoking ban killed my Bistro in less than a year! In less than 3 month my business declined 37%. Within six months I was unable to meet payroll and I had to lay off 28 employees. Susie's Corner Bar/Restaurant 23% 1 Buffalo NY Swan's Tavern Closed 100% 100% 7 New York NY "I felt bad laying off seven workers. Most of them had been with me for the five years Swan's was open. None of them had ever complained about secondhand smoke. " Swift's Tavern 40% New York NY "It's absolutely killed us. This time last year the bar would be packed with the after-work cocktail crowd. Now they just take a bottle of wine or a six-pack to each other's apartments, where they can smoke." Syracuse Brigadiers Bingo Hall 61% Syracuse NY "The hall was losing about $60,000 per month in net income for the past three months because of the smoking ban." Taylor's Trackside Bar/Restaurant 50% Remsen NY Temple Israel Bingo Hall 50% Albany NY According to Herb Holland, some of the regulars told volunteers that they would abstain from playing bingo, to protest the smoking ban. He hasn't seen them since. The Alps Restruant Closed 100% 100% Wheatfield NY The Cam-Nel Tavern Closed 100% 100% Mattydale NY The Cam-Nel had been in operation since 1952 The Dog House Bar/Restaurant 28% Utica NY The Lodge at the Lake Inc Bar/Restaurant 50% 1 Broadalbin NY The Loft Tavern 30% Frewsburg NY "Our town has no attractions to draw in outsiders. We have only locals to rely on as patrons and 95% of them smoke. It will be worse when the snow sets in." The Loop Lounge Bar and restaurant 30% Rochester NY I own a small local tavern and I have a 90% smoking cliental. Let me say it just sucks. The Meeting Place Restruant/Tavern Closed 100% 100% Wheatfield NY The Press Box Tavern Closed 100% 100% Niagara Falls NY The Press Box had been open for 45 years. The Roadhouse Tavern 40% Brewster NY The Royal Pheasant Restaurant Closed 100% 100% 20 Buffalo NY The smoking ban caused an instant 80 percent decrease in revenue. The Royal Phesant had been a family business for 58 years. The Web Tavern Closed 100% 100% Ogdensburg NY Owners Janet and Anthony Doerr say the smoking ban destroyed their business. The Wonderbar Tavern 50% Goshen NY Thompson Road Tavern Bar/Restaurant 25% Syracuse NY Tommys Park Place Tavern 40% Syracuse NY Unique Lounge Bar/Restaurant 40% 4 Sloan NY Varick Restaurant Inc Bar/Restaurant 35% Utica NY VFW Post 6533 Private Club 20% 25% East Randolph NY Village Tavern Bar/Restaurant 10% Marcellus NY Village Tavern 50% Wellsburg NY Viva Debris Comedy & Magic Club 30 30% Syracuse NY Voelker Bowling Center Bowling Alley 30-40% Buffalo NY The smoking ban hit us like an anvil, curtailing bowling activity by 30 to 40 percent and the bar business by 20 to 30 percent. Walmore Inn Restruant/Tavern Closed 100% 100% Sanborn NY Whiskey Ward Tavern 20% 2 New York NY Whispers Cocktail Lounge Bar/Night Club 50% 90% Middletown NY Windsor Ale House Tavern Closed 100% 100% Jamestown NY Woody's Pub Bar/Restaurant 25% 3 Lockawanna, NY Ye Olde Anchor Inn Bar/Restaurant 18% 22% Lakewood NY Adam's Place Tavern Closed 100% 100% Toledo OH Bait Shop Bar & Grill Closed 100% 100% Toledo OH Blue Jeans Tavern Closed 100% 100% Toledo OH Consaul Tavern Tavern Closed 100% 100% Toledo OH Consaul Tavern had been in business over 53 years. East Broadway Nightclub Nightclub 50% Toledo OH "From the get-go I've lost business. I've lost 50 percent -- everybody's losing money." East Broadway Nite Club Night Club Closed 100% 100% Toledo OH Elbo Room Pizza Parlor/Tavern 25% 2 Toledo OH End Zone Electronics Tavern Closed 100% 100% Toledo OH Fat Tuesdays Tavern Closed 100% 100% Toledo OH Jordan's Place Tavern Closed 100% 100% Toledo OH Kacy's Sports Bar 50% Worthington OH "Kacy's Sports Bar and Grill has room for 300 customers, but now, it's virtually empty." Laskey Lounge Tavern Closed 100% 100% Toledo OH Prime Time South Night Club Closed 100% 100% Toledo OH Rack Time Billiards Pool Hall Closed 100% 100% Toledo OH Ragtime Ricks Tavern Closed 100% 100% Toledo OH Rooster Inn Brew Pub Closed 100% 100% Toledo OH Shamrocks Tavern Closed 100% 100% Toledo OH The "In" Zone Tavern Closed 100% 100% Toledo OH Bliss' Steak Ranch Restaurant Closed 100% 100% Eugene OR Closed after 32 years in business Doc's Pad Tavern Closed 100% 100% 24 Eugene OR "Let's face it, the economy is horrible. But for us specifically, the smoking ban was the knockout punch." The Olsen family had owned Doc's for 16 years. Max's Tavern Tavern Closed 100% 100% Eugene OR The Peacock Bar/Restaraunt 40% Corvallis OR Connor owned the Peacock for years - and says it was the ban that caused him to sell the bar. He says business gross fell from $1.5 million in 1997, the year before the ban went into effect, to $900,000 last year. The Peacock (New Owner) Bar/Restaraunt 50% 36 Corvallis OR China One Restaurant Closed 100% 100% Round Rock TX Good Time Charlie's Restaurant 30% San Antonio TX Matt's No Place Restaurant Closed 100% 100% Dallas TX Business simply dried up, restaurateur Matt Martinez said, after the City Council enacted a smoking ban in restaurants and other public places. "I just got fed up," said Martinez, "You work to get a clientele and build your business, and then the city comes and takes it from you." Alexander Mackenzie Inn Hotel 92% 16 Fort St. John CANADA "Since we were `beaten' into compliance by the WCB, our business has dropped in the lounge from $1,000 a day to $80. " Bacchus Nightclub Closed 100% 100% Vancover CANADA In its first two years, it regularly would close to its 275-person indoors capacity, Sorochan {the owner} says. As business dwindled, you'd be lucky to find 60 patrons on hand. Beacon Hill Arms Tavern Closed 100% 100% Ottawa CANADA Dave O'Connor, who successfully ran Ottawa's Beacon Hill Arms pub for nine years, said the ban forced him out of business. "From September to February, we lost close to $80,000 in sales" Bovine Sex Club Tavern 50% Toronto CANADA Branigan's Tavern Closed 100% 100% 50 Polo Park CANADA Bud's Place Tavern 23% 5 Cambridge CANADA Cellarman's Alehouse Tavern 35% Midland CANADA Friday nights used to generate $2,400-$3,100 before the smoking ban. Since the ban those numbers dropped to $900-$1,400. Cobalt Tavern 50% Tornoto CANADA "You build this business, and you're proud of it, and all of a sudden the city makes this blind decision...places like us get totally screwed." Coffee Time Coffee Shop 50% 100% Barrie CANADA Coffee Time Coffee Shop Closed 100% 100% Markham CANADA Eightball VIP Sports Cafe Sports Bar 40% 2 Chatham CANADA Elements Nightclub Closed 100% 100% Toronto CANADA Elsewhere Tavern 50% Toronto CANADA We cut staff early to save cost and boredom. The City of Toronto promised us a deluge of non-smokers who would be deliriously happy to visit us because we're non-smoking. Where are they? Gardeli's Bar/Restaurant Closed 100% 100% Castlegar CANADA Hemingway's Bar/Restaraunt 40% 6 Ottawa CANADA Inuvik Curling Club Private Club 66% Inuvik CANADA The president of Inuvik's Curling Club predicts it will lose $40,000 by the end of the year, and says the town's smoking by-law is to blame. Larry's Pit Stop Tavern 49% 1 Kingston CANADA MacKenzie Lounge Tavern 80% Yellowknife CANADA Mingles Coffee Shoppe Coffee Shop Closed 100% 100% Kitchener CANADA Before Closing, Mingles saw a 45% drop in sales. Mr. B's Restaurant Closed 41% Tilsbury CANADA nastys Sports Bar 37% Dunnville CANADA Red Dog Cafe Restaurant Closed 100% 100% Acton CANADA Rupert Pub Tavern Closed 100% 100% Prince Rupert CANADA Sam's Hotel Tavern 60-70 Wallaceburg CANADA "(Business is down) probably 60-70 per cent (at night) and 90 per cent in the daytime." Sky Garden Restaurant Closed 100% 100% 6 Ottawa CANADA "It was 100% because of the bylaw. Sales dropped 50%. Our cups of coffee were down 400 to 500 a day, our meals 20 to 30 a day." The Coffee Bar Coffee Shop 50% Whitehourse CANADA The Patch Tavern 70% St. Albert CANADA The Spotted Dick Taverm 60% Toronto CANADA Tubbys Pizza Pizza Parlor 20% 2 Crescentwood CANADA Bewley's Oriental Cafe Tea and Coffee Shop Closed 100% 100% Dublin IRELAND The shop, located on Westmoreland St, had been in business since 1986 Bewley's Oriental Cafe Tea and Coffee Shop Closed 100% 100% Dublin IRELAND The Grafton Street Shop had been open since 1927. Fibber Magees Closed 100% 100% Eyre Square IRELAND ``We're damned if we do and damned if we don't,'' Lawless said {Defying the law}. ``We're either going to go out of business or be put out of business.'' Before closing the bar suffered loses of 66% MacTurcails 20% Dublin IRELAND If your business has been harmed by a smoking ban, or if you know of one that has been, please let us know. If possible, have the owner contact us. Newspaper articles are also welcome. Please include the URL. . 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Keep up the good work, FRiend - you're on a roll!!!!!
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