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by linkup
on Sat May 12, 2007 6:01 am |
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http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/frontpage/51046.php
Published: 05.09.2007
Foes of smoking ban say it'll snuff up to 28,000 jobs
RYN GARGULINSKI
Tucson Citizen
Three people sat inside the smoke-free Irish Pub on Tuesday night while dozens were outside on the enclosed patio, wisps of smoke swirling around. The dichotomy accented the effect a statewide smoking ban is having on some bars in the state.
Of the patio dwellers, four were core members of the Arizona Alcohol Service Providers Association, a local group that formed in December and is bent on overturning the ban that took effect May 1.
The ban, approved by voters in November 54-46 percent, snuffed out smoking in all public places, including bars.
AASPA member Joan Gobble, 61, who has owned Irish Pub, 9155 E. Tanque Verde Road, for the past two years, said the beginning of the month marked the beginning of her business' decline.
"We were down $2,000 on Friday, $1,000 on Saturday and $1,000 on Sunday," she said.
AASPA estimated that the ban will wipe out 24,000 to 28,000 jobs in Arizona, based on research on the effects of smoking bans in other states.
Karen Martin, division manager of the Pima County Health Department, which enforces the ban in Pima County, said the ban protects the health of nonsmokers in Arizona.
While only a handful of folks joined Tuesday's meeting, some of them, such as Mike Kakar, were representing a larger population. He said he spoke for many bars in Pinal County.
Kakar, 58, has owned Casa Grande's Kakar's Bar for the past decade.
"It used to be wall-to-wall people," he said. "Now there's so many empty stools, it's not funny."
Kakar's business associate, Rhonda Brown, 44, said a bartender friend of hers who usually rakes in $100 per night recently took home $3.
The economic impact, which AASPA members said was never researched properly or at all, is only the tip of the cigarette, so to speak.
Members say the ban is a violation of people's rights.
AASPA has collected thousands of signatures on informal petitions that state that Proposition 201 is unfair.
The next step is to gather economic surveys on bar owners and employees to tally how much is being lost.
After that, the group's members are unsure where their opposition to the ban will take them, perhaps an attempt to put repeal of the ban on the ballot, or even a legal challenge, they said.
"We need manpower, troops," said co-chair Glenn Gifford, 53.
AASPA member Tiffany Johnson, 52, said they are also looking for legal counsel.
To volunteer or for more information, contact AASPA at 867-6186.
P.S. Area Code is 520 |
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linkup
Smoking Lobby Sponsor
Joined: Oct 01, 2005
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by gregory
on Sat May 12, 2007 8:42 am |
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| good blog going on there linkup. is there a way to set an email alert to new posts on that blog? |
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gregory
Enthusiastic Smoker
Joined: Mar 29, 2007
Posts: 270
Location: America...I think?
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by linkup
on Sat May 12, 2007 3:11 pm |
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No way to get alerts.Fact is they removed my post today,so I posted it again.It is best to just save the page and return as often as you like.
I saw your post,thanks. |
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linkup
Smoking Lobby Sponsor
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by linkup
on Mon May 14, 2007 8:44 am |
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| I sent an invitation via news blog, for the Tucson group to join us here at smokinglobby.I sincerely hope they do read the blogs that follow the news article above. |
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linkup
Smoking Lobby Sponsor
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by BWilliams
on Mon May 14, 2007 9:24 am |
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linkup wrote: I sent an invitation via news blog, for the Tucson group to join us here at smokinglobby.I sincerely hope they do read the blogs that follow the news article above.
Awesome!! Thanks linkup - that's the kind of spirit we need here at smoking lobby! |
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BWilliams
Site Owner
Joined: Jun 05, 2003
Posts: 1082
Location: New York City
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by linkup
on Mon May 14, 2007 11:10 am |
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I just got off the phone with AASPA.They are for real and want a link exchange with Bill.They should be posting soon.Their website is:
http://www.aaspaorg.org/
I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation and they have my number and email.
We Arizonans have a chance here to speak out and do something.Don't let this opportunity pass you by. |
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linkup
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by BWilliams
on Mon May 14, 2007 12:31 pm |
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| Sounds great, I would be happy to exhange links and will write a blurb for the home page blog. |
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BWilliams
Site Owner
Joined: Jun 05, 2003
Posts: 1082
Location: New York City
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by linkup
on Mon May 14, 2007 6:20 pm |
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http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/frontpage/51163.php
Published: 05.10.2007
Gargulinski: Smokers want air purists to just butt out
RYN GARGULINSKI
Tucson Citizen
I wrote this column while smoking. Not sitting at my desk at work, mind you, but in my head while circling the workplace parking lot, at least 20 feet from the door, mulling over this smoking ban.
The Smoke Free Arizona Act kicked our butts May 1, banning smoking for all public places, including places infamous for their smokiness, such as bowling alleys and bars.
I understand why people don't want to breathe secondhand smoke. I don't particularly care for being forced to endure habits that offend or harm me, like when someone spills a martini in my lap, accidentally pokes me with their heroin needle or loudly passes gas in public.
There's no reason to be subjected to things that just aren't good for you.
But I also agree with a few points brought up by the Arizona Alcohol Service Providers Association, a local grass-roots group bent on reversing the smoking ban.
I like them. They're scrappy. They're snappy. They stand up for what they believe in.
Besides, they smoke.
Economic issues aside, I am particularly drawn to their argument that the smoking ban is just one more example of how people's rights are being chipped away.
A discussion of some of those economic and rights issues came to light (pun intended) at the AASPA meeting Tuesday at Irish Pub, 9155 E. Tanque Verde Road. Some of those attending were up in arms about the government's attempt to put those arms into straitjackets.
"They've run out of issues," said Tammy Bryant, 40, who was at the meeting with her husband, Joe, 41. He was puffing a cigar. She had a pack of Marlboros. "Now smokers are the issue."
She said people need someone to hate. "Americans were prejudiced against Native Americans, against African- Americans. Now they're prejudiced against smokers," she said.
In Tucson, that makes it a field day for some. Now they can hate smokers and illegal immigrants.
Bryant said her sister works at a hospital and told her the biggest health problem she sees come lumbering through the door is obese people.
"After smokers are gone," Bryant said, "is it going to be vegetable oil or deep fryers?"
Another AASPA member piped up about possible bans to come, perhaps on alcohol, bubble gum and caffeine.
It would make more sense if they went after the really offensive stuff, like those who bathe in cheap perfume.
Actually, I had a horrid vision the other day that the government banned the sun. After all, it causes skin cancer, makes you all wrinkly (like Keith Richards) and turned a Dalmatian at the dog park beet red with black spots.
We all had to live under this giant awning and would get a $5,000 ticket for each day we chose to step out into the sun's violent rays.
Sounds ridiculous? Crazier laws have been on the books, some right here in Arizona. According to the Web site dumblaws.com, it's been illegal in our state to let your donkey sleep in the bathtub, and any misdemeanor immediately turns into a felony if you happen to be wearing a red mask.
A smoking ban in bars is equally as inane simply because drinking and smoking go hand in hand.
Even though I don't drink - save for the occasional, unwanted martini in my lap - I understand how some things need to stay a unit. Like pepperoni and pizza. Or bread and butter. Or Hansel and Gretel.
Alas, the next step may be restrictions on pepperoni. And watch out for that butter ban. |
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linkup
Smoking Lobby Sponsor
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by linkup
on Mon May 14, 2007 6:52 pm |
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Arizona Alcohol Service Providers Association (AASPA)
FOR ALL CONCERNED INDIVIDUALS
This survey is designed to gather information to present for judicial purposes. Please provide business information as accurately as possible. This survey will remain confidential unless we are told otherwise by you. It is for statistical purposes only. We thank you for your participation in this survey.
1. Are you a registered voter?
Yes No
2. Are you a cigarette smoker?
Yes No
3. Are you currently or have you been a bar patron?
Still No longer Never
4. Have you been affected by Proposition 201 (Smoke-Free AZ) at your place of employment?
Yes No
5. Have you been affected by Proposition 201 (Smoke-Free AZ) in everyday life?
No A little Somewhat A lot Big Brother is out of control
6. Do you anticipate more tax increases or new taxes because of Proposition 201 (Smoke-Free AZ)?
Yes No
7. Do you feel individual rights are being affected by Proposition 201 (Smoke-Free AZ)?
No A little Somewhat A lot Big Brother is out of control
8. If you are a non-smoker, would you visit a smoking bar?
Never Occasionally Yes Does not apply
9. Do you believe bar owners should have the choice to be a smoking establishment?
Yes No
10. Do you believe all other small businesses should choose how to run and operate their business?
Yes No
11. Has your social life changed because of Proposition 201 (Smoke-Free AZ)?
Yes No
12. Did you understand Proposition 201 (Smoke-Free AZ)?
Yes No
13. Did you understand Proposition 206 (LIMITED SMOKING PERMITTED)?
Yes No
14. Did both propositions 201 and 206 on the same ballot confuse you in the November 2006 elections?
Yes No
15. If limited smoking was Proposition 201 and Smoke-Free AZ was Proposition 206, would you have voted for Smoke-Free AZ?
Yes No
16. Should Proposition 201 (Smoke-Free AZ) be repealed?
Yes No
17. Would you be willing to voluntarily provide contact information?
Yes No
Please provide additional comments :
Please contact us if you are willing to volunteer and help us in this cause. You can :
call us at (520) 867-6186,
e-mail us at aaspa@aaspaorg.org, or
write us at
AASPA
7049 E. Tanque Verde Road #15
Tucson, AZ 85715
We thank you for your participation in this survey. |
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linkup
Smoking Lobby Sponsor
Joined: Oct 01, 2005
Posts: 1201
Location: Anywhere but here
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by linkup
on Tue May 15, 2007 6:42 pm |
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Please read this and then go on to my next post here.I am furious.
http://www.mohavedailynews.com/articles/2007/05/15/news/state/state1.txt
Same article with blog comments:
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/89716
AG files suit against bar owners for violating new smoking ban
Monday, May 14, 2007 9:27 PM PDT
PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard has filed a lawsuit against the owner of four Phoenix businesses, accusing him of violating the state's new smoking ban.
The voter-approved smoking ban went into effect May 1 and requires bars, restaurants and other indoor public places to prohibit smoking.
In a complaint filed Monday, Goddard asked Maricopa County Superior Court to issue an injunction against the businesses until they come into compliance. The businesses are Metro Sportz Bar and Restaurant, Boomerang Bar and Billiards, River City Pockets and the Maverick Saloon.
Goddard also wants Alfonso Larriva, the owner of the four businesses, to be fined nearly $50,000 for the violations.
In a news release, Goddard said the businesses have tried to get around the law by installing vents in walls, replacing windows with vents, and propping open doors. Larriva argues that by doing so, his establishments are no longer enclosed and are within the law.
Larriva said he was only given a notice of violation before Goddard filed the complaint. He said he should have been given an official citation so he could challenge it in court.
‘‘It appears to me they're attempting to avoid due process,'' Larriva said. ‘‘The fines just seem really trumped up to me, and the fines seem at such a large level that they're trying to prevent someone from challenging the law.''
Larriva said he will not stop customers from smoking in his businesses until he gets a judge's ruling to do so.
Susan Gerard, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, said in a news release that the businesses gave officials no choice but to seek an injunction.
‘‘They have been openly ignoring the law, and all of our efforts to get them to play by the rules have fallen flat,'' she said. |
Last edited by linkup on Wed May 16, 2007 7:23 am; edited 1 time in total |
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linkup
Smoking Lobby Sponsor
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Posts: 1201
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