Economic fears are snuffing out smoking bans

Economic fears are snuffing out smoking bans

www.msnbc.msn.com

updated 4:42 p.m. CT, Wed., Feb. 4, 2009

DENVER - In this economy, lawmakers are more willing to let people smoke 'em if they got 'em.

As recently as last year, many states and major cities seemed ready to adopt complete indoor smoking bans. But the movement to kick all smokers outdoors has stalled as the recession worsens and lawmakers fear hurting business at bars, restaurants and casinos.

"This economy, it creates a little more sympathy for the business person. So when we say this is going to put us out of business, believe me, they're listening," said Mike Moser, executive director of the Wyoming State Liquor Association.

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Well, well, it seems like it all about the bottom line again. All of you non smokers should be pissed as hell.

I myself am a smoker. I have learned that politics have forced me to restrict when and where I can smoke. I have accepted this and moved on with my life.

Now it seems that the very people who brought these bans into the casinos and bars are "easing them" for the sake of dollars.

Your non non smoking heath be damned!! Our business has to make money, so let the smokers do what they want. The local and state government are such a joke.

Now that we, in the US, are facing an economic crisis, it's
about the dollars, as usual.

I wonder how the insurance companies are going to react to this??

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(visit the link for the full news article)

It'd be nice not to have to freeze my butt off in the Winter because of some whiners oversensitive lungs. I refuse to patronize places that honor such smoking bans like the plague. Why would anyone choose to increase a business' revenues when they're restricting their freedom?

If all smokers did likewise, these ridiculous city ordinances would vanish overnight. As you said it's all about the money..

It's about time this went down. First of all it's an infringement of personal rights. Second I lived in the area at the time this went into effect and it did indeed benefit many busnineses. OP I want you to take into account that it was not so much the corporations that took the hit but the average people workign for them.

I used to smoke and I don't think it really matters. If there is not smoking in bars all across a city it's not going to stop smokers from going to the bars. The bar is a great place for good company, meeting people, and well... Beer. Having smokers go outside is a minor hassle, it actually makes for good conversation. (I still smoke from time to time at the bars)

Having no smoking in the bars is not a bad idea. Smoking is not good. What I mean by that is there is no good that can come out of smoking. Being able to smoke in a bar does add a little something, I can't but my finger on it but there is something.

This is why I don't drink in my hometown bars

They put a ban on all PUBLIC smoking in Hancock county. They don't want my money? Somebody else will.

All I gota say is F 'em...

Hell, in my town you can't even smoke in public, anywhere, indoors or out, except in your own home or car basically.

I'm not a smoker, but that kind of crap really frosts me. If I have a problem with someone smoking around me I move. If I can't move I politely ask them to desist if it matters for any reason, usually it doesn't. No big deal.

But that approach doesn't generate revenue for the city, I guess.

But, but, but the anti-smokers said the bans would be good for business. I guess lawmakers don't like being lied to either...

"But of course I will still patronize you in the morning, I am patronizing you right now aren't I?" (note---say it a few times if you don't get it at first)


All I can say is it's about f'ing time. Now if only my communist state will get it's head out of it's ass we can start to move forward.

That if you look at history Prohibition preceded the Great Depression, is it not peculiar that the smoking bans preceded this nearly greater depression?

Originally posted by Styki
Having smokers go outside is a minor hassle, it actually makes for good conversation. (I still smoke from time to time at the bars)

It's not a real inconvenience provided it's not freezing outside, you have no objections to being put on display like a zoo animal, and don't mind being treated like a second class citizen..

Having no smoking in the bars is not a bad idea. Smoking is not good. What I mean by that is there is no good that can come out of smoking. Being able to smoke in a bar does add a little something, I can't but my finger on it but there is something.

Maybe drinkers should only be allowed to drink in their own homes, have Breathalyzers installed on their vehicles, and pay an extra tax on their alcohol purchases to help lower health care costs?


[edit on 4-2-2009 by LLoyd45]

A couple of restaurants in my hometown became totally non-smoking for awhile. They thought it would be good for business. When they actually lost customers they re-installed their smoking sections. Nothing like a dollar to change people's moral crusades.

reply to post by LLoyd45


I don't know where you go to the bar but when I go to smoke at the bars I go to it's not exactly like being put on display at the zoo. Unless you go to the bars around noon I'm sure nobody cares if your outside smoking.

It's called a DD and when people start getting second hand drunk I think life will be great.

While I'm not a cig smoker; I'm not one to impede on a business in these trying times when they need all the revenue they can generate. If it's far too smokey or I'm uncomfortable, I can leave - no need to cut more jobs because I can't have it my way at a certain place.

Many other restaurants/bars that are smoke free.

reply to post by wolf241e


Economix fear for pubs and casino's indeed, maybe they have seen a fall in the number of smokers - not getting there TAXES from it more likley!!!

If taxes were the real reason for this turn around, i would be inclined to give up - on principal.

Originally posted by Styki
reply to post by LLoyd45

 

I don't know where you go to the bar but when I go to smoke at the bars I go to it's not exactly like being put on display at the zoo. Unless you go to the bars around noon I'm sure nobody cares if your outside smoking.

I don't drink or go to bars, but I do smoke, and I know it's extremely annoying to have to go outside a business to smoke like a social outcast.

It's called a DD and when people start getting second hand drunk I think life will be great.

How about getting secondhand dead from some drunk crashing into your vehicle? When was the last time you heard of someone smoking a cigarette causing a road fatality?

you bet it is about money.

i heard on the news (fox) that cigs are going up $.61 a pk, april 1.

i'll see if i can find a link.

smoking bans are getting worse here in hong kong.

[edit on 5-2-2009 by fooks]