I just returned from a few days in New York and, while there, found myself in a number of bars and taverns. These were not posh places either but were rather proletarian joints on 3rd Avenue downtown. The NYC smoking ban was, without exception, observed and the places were packed as usual. Smokers could be seen occasionally walking ouitside to have a smoke (and they went without their drinks). No-one complained and the bartenders I asked all said that the ban had no negative effect on their business. Some were surprised that it didn't but they were in agreement that their business was as robust as before the ban.
I can only conclude that the bar owners here are either ignorant or in the pay of the tobacco companies; or perhaps both. Mayor Kelly's and Councilwoman Montgomery's arguments for opposing this ban are simply not supported by any evidence. And I simply don't understand Ms. Montgomery's opposing the St. Paul ban because of her belief, apparently mistaken, that there isn't enough money to fund smoking cessation programs in her ward. The ban isn't intended to stop smokers from indulging their habits. It's intended to protect non-smokers in public places. I notice that the Ramsey County ordinance exempts bars attached to restaurants if, among other things, they have closable doors separating the bar from the restaurant area and have separate licenses for the bar and restaurant. Does anyone know how big a loophole this is? The door separation part is obviously a large loophole but the separate licensing requirement may be harder to get around unless establishments already have separate licenses. Charlie Swope Ward 1 _____________________________________________ To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
