N.Y.City C.L.A.S.H (Citizens Lobbying Against Smoker Harrassment)
Posted on 12/12/2002 5:41:15 AM PST by TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!
NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is avidly anti-smoking, said on Friday he wanted to toughen the city's anti-smoking law by banning cigarette smoking in all restaurants and bars to protect workers.
"It is just a health risk that workers should not be exposed to," Bloomberg said at a news conference. "If there were asbestos in the air we would immediately close the place down ... this is just as dangerous."
If the New York City Council passed the amendment to a 1995 law that forbids smoking in all restaurants with more than 35 seats, America's biggest city would join two states--California and Delaware--and scores of towns that ban smoking in almost every workplace, including bars and restaurants.
Bloomberg, a businessman who was elected on his first bid for public office when he become mayor in January, won approval from the state legislature this year to raise taxes on cigarettes, pushing the cost of a pack of cigarettes to $7.50 in the city.
The mayor, a billionaire who founded the Bloomberg international financial news and information company, has generously funded public health. Johns Hopkins University's school of public health in Baltimore, for instance, bears his name.
He does not disguise his dislike for smoking.
"Smoking kills people," Bloomberg said on Friday in his weekly WABC Radio show. He said every year 350,000 people die in the United States alone from smoking-related diseases.
"I've always been amazed why everybody isn't up in arms against smoking. You really have to be out of your mind to smoke, it's killing you," Bloomberg said.
The new measure, which Bloomberg said was intended to provide a smoke-free environment for bartenders, waiters and waitresses, was expected to be sent to the City Council on Monday.
It will be opposed by some restaurant and bar owners and the organizations that represent them. The New York State Restaurant Association said it believes the New York laws are some of the strictest in the country and should not be changed.
Cool - finally a respected government official admits that casual asbestos exposure is not significantly dangerous.
I sure would like to know where he gets his information. Just so I could DEBUNK it.
As for 350,000 people dying each year - that's the CDC ESTIMATE that is made from ANYONE that has ever smoked, whether they die from a smoking related illness or not, being counted as a smoking death.
I think a bigger health risk would be starvation...caused by unemployment! Just a thought...
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.
NEW YORK- Leaders in the nation's largest city have agreed to a plan to snuff out cigarette smoking in almost every New York bar and restaurant, a move that could create one of the toughest anti-smoking laws in the nation. Told you so folks. The smoking party is all but over. Please exit with your cigarettes to the nearest exit. Couldn't happen to a better group of rude and obnoxious folks
Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the City Council reached an agreement Wednesday to extend restrictions on indoor smoking in a bid to protect restaurant and bar employees from the dangers of second-hand smoke.
"No one should have to choose between their health and their job," said City Council Speaker Gifford Miller, a bill proponent. "The purpose here is not to punish smokers, but to protect employees."
The bill will likely be passed next week over the opposition of smokers and bar owners, who have complained that tightening the city's existing law would curtail their rights, hurt tourism and cut into tavern business. See, they have heard your tired and worn arguments and no one is buying
Smoking will still be allowed in some portions of outdoor cafes; in bars that build specially ventilated smoking rooms where employees would not enter; in private clubs such as American Legion halls; in nursing homes and other residential facilities that have smoking rooms; and in existing cigar bars. Translation:We will get these on the next go around
Not everyone was happy with the provision that allows bars - but not restaurants - to build ventilated rooms that could fit 30 or 40 smokers. That exemption will expire in three years. Not much of a compromise on the anti-smokers part. The owners won't build a special room just to be taken down in 3 years.
"If it's a health issue, then it should be prohibited in all locations, otherwise that gives economic advantage to some businesses and disadvantage to others," said Chuck Hunt, executive vice president for the New York chapter of the New York State Restaurant Association. They restaurant owners are only concerned that this ban doesn't affect everyone. Watch how they end up becoming advocates and push for bans in all other areas. The pace of the restaurant ban will get more rapid as time goes on. After this NY ban, the rest of the country will follow rather quickly. "Our members wanted a level playing field. The exemptions don't allow for that."
Also Wednesday, Boston's health commission expanded its smoking ban. When the new restrictions take effect May 5, private homes, hotel rooms and some cigar bars will be the only indoor places in Boston where smoking is allowed. The rest of the Northeast will follow suit between Boston and New York, which incidentaly were the first to ban employee smoking in the work place. With the added threat of law suits on resturants chains in other areas for these currently "recognized threats" the ban will become more and more voluntary.
Two states, California and Delaware, ban smoking in all public places. Utah, Minnesota, Maryland, Maine and Florida are other states that have passed strict smoking restrictions.
Current New York City law prohibits smoking in restaurants with more than 35 seats, but does not restrict smoking in stand-alone bars or the bar area of restaurants.
Bloomberg's bill extends the ban to almost all restaurants and bars, as well as offices, pool halls, bingo parlors and bowling alleys. In all, about 13,000 establishments would be covered. It also extends existing smoking bans to cover virtually all workplaces. This all but bans smoking in the restaurants with any employees
The legislation does not attempt to regulate smoking in private residences, hotel and motel rooms, private automobiles, retail tobacco stores and limousines under private hire. YET. Look folks, unless you all begin policing yourselves, the only place that will be acceptable to smoke is in a hole in your back yard.
The City Council has held two public hearings on the issues, and will hold two more this week and next. The panel is expected to pass the bill Dec. 18 and it could take effect in the spring.
Many smokers were outraged by Bloomberg's stance.
"Never has a man - besides Napoleon - been so ruthless and been such a control freak. It's really unbelievable," said Patrick Smith, 32, as he puffed on a cigarette outside a Brooklyn store. Translation= As he puffs smoke in the reporters personal zone trying to get sympathy for his obnoxious and rude behaviors.
Still, some non-smokers said they'll be pleased to spend time in bars without absorbing tobacco smoke.
"I just don't like to come home and stink like that - and I don't smoke," There you have it folks, the real reason is no one likes being made to stink because of your behaviors. Maritza Colon said outside her office in midtown Manhattan.
--
I believe all of in our nation woke up and are waking up. I am wondering which 'ban' will wake up the dumb@ssed SUV/van driving Clinton loving, selfish, soccer moms. The ban of 'keeping up with the Jones,'? shopping at Lord and Taylor past a certain time at night,? using antibacterial soap,? signing 'johnny' up for any camp?
I do not think that second hand smoke is any more harmful than someones fart annoying someone else in the room.I have yet to see hear or read any proof of second hand smoke causing any isolated health issues. Cancer is genetic.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.