Tough new smoking ban clearing hurdles in New York

Yahoo News ^ | 11 December 2002

[SheLion]

NEW YORK, Dec 11 (Reuters) - New York officials agreed on Wednesday on a tough new anti-smoking policy, one of the most stringent in the country, that would ban smoking in most public places including bars, nightclubs and restaurants.

The agreement by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the City Council leadership will now be put to a series of public hearings and a vote by the full City Council. The legislation is expected to be passed and to become law as early as January.

The measure represents a significant toughening of the existing bans on smoking in the most populous U.S. city. It makes only minor concessions to business groups that have complained the measure would hurt their ability to make a living.

Only limited exceptions would be allowed, including for smoking in a portion of sidewalk cafes, backyard gardens, rooftop restaurants and some private clubs that have no employees. Existing cigar bars will be able to continue to permit smoking.

Existing bars would be allowed to construct a separate "smoking" room, but no employees would enter that room to serve food or beverages or clean it until the room is vacated.

Bloomberg proposed tightening the city's smoking restrictions this past summer. Bans of smoking in almost every workplace have previously been put into effect in several U.S. cities and states.

[SheLion]

New York City:

[SheLion]

I think since Bloomberg didn't realize the huge windfall from raising cigarette taxes, that he is punishing the smokers, and kicking them out of the City.

[swarthyguy]

Think the Euros aren't pissed at the US now? Wait til this summer :>

[unixfox]

When they came for my guns I said nothing because I didn't own guns.

When they came to install cameras in my house I said nothing because I had nothing to hide.

When they told me to stop speaking out against my government I said nothing because to me it didn't matter.

When they came after my cigarrettes I said nothing because I wasn't allowed to speak.

[patton]

It won't do any of those things, but thank you for playing.

[SheLion]

I don't think it's a bad idea, it'll get people to quit smoking, produce cleaner and a more comfortable enviroment.

MAKE people quit smoking? Says who? We enjoy smoking. It's legal. Better environment? For who? There are plenty of places a non-smoker can go without being bothered by smokers. But business owners should be the ones to make that decision. NOT the Mayor and NOT the City Councils.

[SheLion]

Think the Euros aren't pissed at the US now? Wait til this summer :>

What do you think the Europeans and Japanese are going to do? Hey! This is Amerika! /scarcasm

[billhilly]

We non smokers are destined to "pick up the tab" so to speak, when the cost becomes too high for smokers.

If there ever was time for repeating the tea dumping in Boston Harbor, it is now. Just replace tea with tobacco and New York's harbor for Boston's.

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

This is only the first part.

[arielb]

I'm surprised there isn't an "Atkins" bestseller plan to lower your risk of cancer by smoking 5 packs a day

[SheLion]

This is only the first part.

Where you been, TC??

First part? What's the second? Handcuffs?

[TheEaglehasLanded]

Does this A-Hole have a number?

[ThinkDifferent]

But business owners should be the ones to make that decision.

Absolutely. I'm rather sensitive to cigarette smoke myself, but my personal preferences don't negate the rights of business owners. Laws like this combine liberals' love of the nanny state with their disdain for property rights.

[MinuteGal]

The smoking bans across the country are making me livid. However, what makes me more livid is the spineless hotel, bar and restaurant owners, etc. everywhere who don't fight these totalitarian dictators, don't organize, don't fight fire with fire, and who really must expect the average guy on the street or folks like us to fight their battles while they moan and wring their hands.

These gutless wonders will roll over and play dead till they see their trade go up in smoke, and then it's too late.

They should take a cue from strong folk like the Klamath farmers and others who aggressively organize to turn the tables on their oppressors.

I ordered a couple of Carlo's freeper cookbooks and will dine and entertain at home rather than go to a restaurant where neither I nor my guests can have a relaxing after-dinner smoke over coffee. Won't bother me as much as it will the restaurants I patronize when their incomes take a dive.

A pox on both their houses, namely, the government anti-smoking fascists as well as the cowardly, bewildered, unorganized, lazy owners of this country's food and drink establishments.

Leni

[Cobra64]

hope you never watched a movie prior to 1990. the whole fricken hollyweird group, and 70% of America smoked. 90% of America smoked in the early 1900s years. go shove off to CA and eat tofu and bird seed. then you can protest people who built this country.

[185JHP]

Patches and gum. Not offensive to other people. No stench or residue.

[Cobra64]

I know, this guy is probably a 12 year old Gore Green Weinie who is clue-less from Cleveland or California. I'm thinking there should be an age limit on this site for people who PAY TAXES, and vote. My philosophy is; "If ya don't pay, then you're disqualified from voting." IMOHO. On average, over the last four years, my wife and I paid $64,000/year to Uncle. My wife is 52 years old. We went through this to put our kids through college. The top 50%of American wage earners pay 96% of the taxes. Rush and Hannity have documented this, and the mainstream media ignores it.

[I'm_With_Orwell]

I don't think it's a bad idea, it'll get people to quit smoking, produce cleaner and a more comfortable enviroment.

Ve have vays of making you quit, you know?

Ach tung! My fine democratic friend.

[I'm_With_Orwell]

No stench or residue.

Just the stench of fascism and the residue of freedom. (Oh, and the pollution from your SUV.)

Well done, oh committed Republican - you serve your country and your party mightily. If we had more like you in our midst we might be just like....hmmm...a democrat forum?