December 05, 2006
Can't smoke 'em if you got 'em
The Medical University of South Carolina will be hosting a panel discussion on smoking bans at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Basic Science Building Auditorium downtown. The panel is in regards to the Sullivan’s Island smoking ban and calls for Charleston to enact a similar provision.
Now, as a nonsmoker, I don’t like to come home from a night on the town in smoke-filled clothes anymore than the next person, but this idea of a government mandate to require private businesses to stomp out smoking is going too far.
There are businesses that have done this type of thing willingly, but it should be the business owner’s decision. It reminds me of a billiards hall owner in Columbia who, because of religious beliefs, refused to sell alcohol. A billiards hall! Those places aren’t much fun until beer three or four! But it was his decision.
Instead of bringing down the hard fist of a government ordinance, there should be an education campaign to explain to the business community the benefits of a smoke-free business. You're getting it out of the faces of non-smoking patrons, who will no doubt be appreciative, and, though it's unlikely people will stop smoking because they can't do it at the bar, you may be cutting out a cigarette or two in their daily dose. —Greg Hambrick
Posted at 10:09 AM in News | Permalink
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HERE HERE, Hambrick!!! Let bar and restaurant owners decide these things for themselves, like so many already have.
Posted by: Sara | December 05, 2006 at 12:01 PM
Oh, and while we're on the topic of smoking in public, I'd like to bring up a story my coworkers have already heard numerous times (sorry, guys).
When I went to New York City in March of 2004, shortly after the smoking ban was installed there, there was a noticeable decline in the stale odor of tobacco in the bars and clubs I went to. Unfortunately, there was also a *very* noticeable INCLINE in the absolutely revolting odor of unwashed human bodies ... in fact, it was so bad that my sister and my friends and I had to leave two different places because the stench was unbearable. Far worse than cigarettes could ever, ever smell. UGH.
P.S. When I went back to NYC this October, many bars had slacked off enforcing the "no smoking" law, allowing clandestine smoking in certain areas. Take that, Bloomberg!
Can't smoke 'em if you got 'em
The Medical University of South Carolina will be hosting a panel discussion on smoking bans at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Basic Science Building Auditorium downtown. The panel is in regards to the Sullivan’s Island smoking ban and calls for Charleston to enact a similar provision.
Now, as a nonsmoker, I don’t like to come home from a night on the town in smoke-filled clothes anymore than the next person, but this idea of a government mandate to require private businesses to stomp out smoking is going too far.
There are businesses that have done this type of thing willingly, but it should be the business owner’s decision. It reminds me of a billiards hall owner in Columbia who, because of religious beliefs, refused to sell alcohol. A billiards hall! Those places aren’t much fun until beer three or four! But it was his decision.
Instead of bringing down the hard fist of a government ordinance, there should be an education campaign to explain to the business community the benefits of a smoke-free business. You're getting it out of the faces of non-smoking patrons, who will no doubt be appreciative, and, though it's unlikely people will stop smoking because they can't do it at the bar, you may be cutting out a cigarette or two in their daily dose. —Greg Hambrick
Posted at 10:09 AM in News | Permalink
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/7037564
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Can't smoke 'em if you got 'em:
Comments
HERE HERE, Hambrick!!! Let bar and restaurant owners decide these things for themselves, like so many already have.
Posted by: Sara | December 05, 2006 at 12:01 PM
Oh, and while we're on the topic of smoking in public, I'd like to bring up a story my coworkers have already heard numerous times (sorry, guys).
When I went to New York City in March of 2004, shortly after the smoking ban was installed there, there was a noticeable decline in the stale odor of tobacco in the bars and clubs I went to. Unfortunately, there was also a *very* noticeable INCLINE in the absolutely revolting odor of unwashed human bodies ... in fact, it was so bad that my sister and my friends and I had to leave two different places because the stench was unbearable. Far worse than cigarettes could ever, ever smell. UGH.
P.S. When I went back to NYC this October, many bars had slacked off enforcing the "no smoking" law, allowing clandestine smoking in certain areas. Take that, Bloomberg!
