Smoking ban leaves some bars smoldering (Akron, Ohio)

Ohio.com ^ | 11/18/07 | Tracy Wheeler

[yorkie]

It’s stories like this that make me glad that Ohio is no longer my home state, and Akron no longer my home town.

(I still remember getting those wonderful Kippy’s hamburgers after church every Sunday - 25 cents. Best hamburger ever made. They closed 28 years ago.)

[weegee]

In Houston the patios/porches of bars are more crowded than the bars themselves. I’ve seen literally a handful of customers inside while there are dozens of drinkers outside with their cigarettes.

It certainly wasn’t put to the public to push through the measure.

The antismoking drinkers wanted it. Why aren’t they at the bars now? Or are they outside too because that is where the crowd is?

I don’t smoke but believe that it should have been up to each business owner and not the city council.

[GOP_Lady]

A judge in Columbus ruled that that part of the law was not clearly written and meant private clubs were illegal, so...

[GOP_Lady]

Editorial: http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=7294732&nav=5UaibWQs

[GOP_Lady]

Oh, isn’t this special ...

http://www.smokechoke.com/

[GOP_Lady]

Community response to smoking ban editorial

Updated: Nov 1, 2007 05:57 AM EDT

News Links

WTOL Editorial: Let’s not roll back the ban on smoking

WTOL General Manager Bob Chirdon’s editorial on the push to overturn Ohio’s smoking ban has fired up smokers and non-smokers alike. Here’s what some of you had to say.

Charles wrote, “What these antis don’t get — the voters of Ohio approved the smoking ban. Game over!”

Vicky said, “If you don’t like smoke, exercise your freedom to stay away.”

“That was the rudest editorial I’ve ever read. It’s no secret Issue 5 was a scam the way it was presented to the voters,” replied Joe from Toledo.

Louise went on to say, “There should be a way to solve this problem for smokers and non-smokers that would make us all happy. It gets really cold outside in the winter.”

Luther had this to say. “If a business owner owns the building he/she operates from, it is personal property. No one forces anyone into a bar/restaurant.”

And finally, Derek responded, “I am a non-smoker. I’ll support the rights of a business owner to allow smoking, but I’ll financially support the business that chooses no smoking.”

I’m Bob Chirdon. It will be interesting to see if this topic generates enough interest to get it back on the ballot.

[mysterio]

It’s crap like this that makes me (a non-smoker) want to take up smoking just to shove it in their face.

I believe that anti-smoking zealotry is a psychiatric disease, and those suffering from it should be forced into psychitric care. However, as a smoker, I would have to discourage you from joining our ranks. It's amazingly difficult to kick the habit. I managed to kick for two months, and one difficult life event has me right back off the wagon.

[Bean Counter]

A year or so ago here in Vancouver, Washington, when a similar ban in bars went into effect, with the specific exclusion zone stated as no smoking within 50 feet of the bar, some of the local bar mavens decided on a protest, measured off fifty feet from the front of the building, set up a tent in the middle of the street, and smoked till they were content, (but in reality for about 30 minutes till the Police showed up and politely insisted that they move it).

In any case they made a great point, and got a picture and writeup in the local rag for it. It didn’t accomplish much, but it sure drove home the point about how fascist localities can be with the anti-smoking rules.

I would also point out that Oregon voters just wisely defeated an attempt to tax the hell out of smokers to the tune of another buck a pack, to supposedly finance health care for “our cheeldren...”.

[gidget7]

Sure that’s the ticket. Tie the hands of police officers, do not allow them to effectively fight real crime. They are needed to stop people from smoking that nasty LEGAL product!!

[ari-freedom]

At the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Portage Trail in Cuyahoga Falls, business dropped by 25 percent after the smoking ban went into effect, parishioner Matt Pagni said.
-

Huck’s policy would result in churches having to close

[GOP_Lady]

Nothing to apologize for, bud. :-)

[stylin19a]

thanks for the heads up...

[GOP_Lady]

Here’s the article about the private club exemption:

http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/content/local_news/stories/2007/04/30/smoking.html

[Melas]

''Nonsmokers don't go out anyway,'' McFrye said. ''They're the cheapest people breathing air. I've been in business 23 years, and I know there's nothing cheaper than a nonsmoker. I'm really upset with it. I wish the people who voted for it would get cancer, that's how pissed I am about it.''

Wow, can you say issues?

[kcvl]

I wish the people who voted for it would get cancer, that's how pissed I am about it.'' McFrye said

I guess that will show them! /s

[GOP_Lady]

Well, people voted to take away his living.

[Hilltop]

I am a smoker, no apology, I’ve been give free will to make choices, good or bad.

I live in Birmingham, where you can can get shot, witness drug deals, and homies lighting a “blunt”, but you can’t have a cigarette after dinner.

What a crock of shit.

[GOP_Lady]

Happy Thanksgiving, boop! Hope all is well with you. :-)

[GOP_Lady]

Heck, even Rush Limbaugh said recently that you have to give people places where they can smoke — they’re paying taxes.

[weegee]

Police in every community have shifted focus from being “peace officers” (keeping the peace) to “law enforcement officers” (enforcing laws: writing tickets and issuing fines for revenue for the city/county).

The NJ Supreme Court has ruled that you have no right to expect the police to protect you when you call 911. A woman was witnessed being abducted and the police decided not to respond. She was raped and murdered. You are on your own in this world. Pay your taxes, fees, etc. Keep the system running.