I just have to ask a couple questions. Aside from the public health debate, because many things (as I pointed out in an earlier post) are public health "issues".
1. I suppose we will now need to take 10 more cops off the street to form a new anti-smoking task force. Then we need a couple sergeants and a Lieutenant to command it. How else will we be able to enforce such a controversial law citywide without a new task force of cops to verify compliance and cite violators. 2. How much is it going to cost to enforce this city ordinance? 3. What if business does decline? Will this have a way to reverse it? I know all the anti-smoking literature says that business will not go down, I am only asking, What if it does? 4. How do we make up for the lost revenue in tax base for businesses that choose to move to a place not covered by such a ban? 5. Will new businesses be hindered in coming by such a ban? I know you'll say more new business will come, but what if it doesn't? 6. The big question is basically, Does this have to be an all or nothing thing? I heard someone say in one of the forums that if a given restaurant was made to go smoke free, they would have to start serving good food, because smoking kills taste buds was the presumption. Well my point to that is, why would you want to go to that restaurant as a non-smoker if the food is not good to you? Here is my recommendation. Take a given percentage of restaurant and bar licenses and make them choose either smoking or non-smoking. Make all new requests for licenses an 80/20 split between smoking and non-smoking. Perhaps make smoking licenses cost more to increase revenue. Let the free market decide and give everyone a chance to compete and enjoy their night out. Tom Thompson Como Park REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
