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by redliner1989
on Mon Jun 28, 2004 10:26 pm |
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After months of public meetings and all night City Council meetings, late last year the Lincoln, Nebraska City Council voted to allow smoking in Bars (what moron came up with the idea that Bars are healthy places????), and in Restaraunts whose income from food sales were 40% or lower. There was also an exemption on Restaurants that constructed a smoking room (minimum investment is $80,000.00 for these rooms).This was to take effect on July 1, 2004.
Tonight, the City Council (3 days before the ban was to take into effect) made the ban ALL INCLUSIVE.
I know of at least two local Restaraunts that took out their Kitchens so they would then become sports bars, and at least 1 Restaraunt that spent $90,000 plus to build a "smoking room".
I remember at a meeting of Bar & Restaraunt owners when they started wanting to negotiate with the City Council. I told this group that negotiating with "Anti's" was like negotiating with Terrorists, they may please you at first, but eventually they will have a blade to your throat!
It is a sad day indeed!
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redliner1989
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by LibbyLiberty
on Tue Jun 29, 2004 9:00 am |
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Redliner, that's just sick what they did.
What are the business saying about it? Will they get any restitiution for the construction they underwent to comply with the "original" ban? |
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LibbyLiberty
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by Tom
on Tue Jun 29, 2004 9:14 am |
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| That's very sad. What's more sad is that once a key city in a state bans smoking, unfortunately the whole state seems to follow. At least that's been the trend so far. Somehow we need to reverse it. I think our best bet is to fight all or nothing. The problem with the non-smoking and smoking section laws is that the antis feel they already won something and they want to go further. Let's look at some free states, like NJ, NV, and VA. I know a couple of towns in NJ and VA are smoke free, but the economy relies on smoking there. I wonder why other states have not come to rely on smoking. Does anyone know? Maybe we could support a federal cig tax increase from 39 cents to $2.00. This way the federal govt will have an interest in smoking, and they will be on our side. Then we can win this war. |
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Tom
Smokers Rights Activist
Joined: Aug 24, 2003
Posts: 961
Location: The Kingdom of New Jersey
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by redliner1989
on Tue Jun 29, 2004 10:36 am |
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Not a lot of new information but I wanted to add this.
This change was done WITHOUT public input. Some have said that this was an illegal move by the City Council, but, after doing some research I don't think it was. It was BAD GOVERNMENT, but not illegal.
I found it ironic however, on the same day the Coalition handed over to Iraq, so that a Government can be formed through public input, that the Lincoln City Council established law without public input.
The Mayor said after the vote "A miracle happened tonight", I suppose that was what Hitler said after he invaded Poland.
Take Care
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redliner1989
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by Tom
on Tue Jun 29, 2004 11:20 am |
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| That's a drawback of democracy. No public input is needed after the officials are elected. We vote people in, and we can vote people out. I wish they would be open and honest on all issues before we elect them. This way we can make a good decision. How dare they say "no comment" on an issue such as smoking when they are running for office. Unfortunately in America, we just have to guess what our politicans will do. Maybe Iraq's democracy will be by the people at first, but then their govt may become corrupt like ours. I hope America doesn't force them to eliminate smoking there too. |
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Tom
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Location: The Kingdom of New Jersey
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by redliner1989
on Tue Jun 29, 2004 10:13 pm |
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The local ABC television station asked an online poll question tonight. It was, "Do you agree with the 100% smoking ban"
The results were:
84% against the ban
16% for the ban
What does that tell you!!!!! |
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redliner1989
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by KYBrian
on Mon Jul 05, 2004 10:25 am |
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Sorry about Lincoln NE, I know how you feel here in Lexington KY. Ironically the UK is considering a nationwide smoking ban, and oddly enough they are considering it because a ban passed in the heart of tobacco country in the US and they are wanting the Lexington law verbatum (except with higher fines). Ironic a small city in KY can impact a whole nation. Tony Blair is in favor of it.
Update about Lexington, about 25 percent of the bars now are just outright ignoring the ban and placed ashtrays back out. No restaurants have done so, but some of the bars serve food also. The owners were on TV saying it was cheaper to pay the fines than endure the loss of business. Now the city is considering raising the max fine from $500 to $10,000, how stupid. You'd think the city would be happy in bad times to fine a place once a month or so a lot of extra revenue. Also all the law breakers are taking the fines to a jury trial, thereby costing the city around $3000 to collect a $500 fine. Maybe they can use that strategy in Lincoln and elsewhere. Also MA went smoke free today, we are losing the battle, what's wrong with us??? |
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KYBrian
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Location: Lexington KY
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by Jay
on Mon Jul 05, 2004 11:37 am |
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I know what really pees me off in this fight are smokers who are just sitting back and not doing anything. If they believe they have the right to smoke in any bar or restaurant in ANY city or state, they need to get off of their "butts" and let their voices be heard by the city or state they live in! That advice is for like KY, MA, and even RI smokers who will "surrender" to smoking bans.
USA smokers want to light up inside, but lots of them refuse to fight. That's the main reason why we're losing this battle.
In states like CA and FL, I'd let my voice be heard by no longer going out to the bars and restaurants period! If I can't use my right to light up inside of a bar or restaurant, why should I even bother GOING to the bar or restaurant? I can eat, drink, and most importantly, smoke in the friendly confines of my own home.
I'd save money as well by not giving a smoke-free restaurant or bar my hard-earned cash. |
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Jay
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Joined: Jun 10, 2003
Posts: 647
Location: Chicago
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by crazie
on Tue Jul 06, 2004 10:51 pm |
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Right On, Jay!
We're getting the heave ho in small doses here. We now have restaurants who normally have smoking areas but close them from opening till 2 or 4 p.m. on week-ends. Everytime one starts this, I make it a point to talk to the manager and let him know he won't be getting my business any other time either.
Our local Pizza Hut recently became a non-smoking restaurant. I wasn't aware of it since we'd been traveling the past couple months. I voiced my opinion and walked out the other day and will follow it up with a letter telling them there will be no carry-outs from us either.
If even half the smokers in this area would refuse to put up with the abuse heaped on them and backed it with their dollars, all this nonsense would quit. Crazie |
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crazie
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by Guest
on Fri Jul 09, 2004 8:22 pm |
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"I know what really pees me off in this fight are smokers who are just sitting back and not doing anything. If they believe they have the right to smoke in any bar or restaurant in ANY city or state, they need to get off of their "butts" and let their voices be heard by the city or state they live in!"
Jay, you're right! I have been intimidated and shamed into laying down on this issue. I couldn't do anything about it in other states, but the Omaha City Council is planning to follow Lincoln's lead and now I have to speak. The anti group is using such inaccurate information - second hand smoke kills, businesses are not hurt by bads, most people want a ban -- I'll send a letter to my councilman tonight!! |
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