The right to smoke ban; a non smoker’s dream becomes an economical nightmare.

I t’s hard to believe a state government faced with a smoking ban proposal has not enforced the issue with the Federal air quality standard summary as it should be. The issue is not whether second hand smoke is hazardous, because it is. The issue is should people have to breathe it in a public place. The answer is no. However, that has nothing to do with a persons right to operate a business that allows smoking. Federal standards govern all of America, almost every business must conform to new air quality guidelines that are sometimes difficult to meet. Nonetheless, any business conforming to the air quality standards is not fined or cited. A state ban on the air pollutant (cigarette smoke) is a ridiculous method of maintaining the air quality levels in bars to the standard (or even higher standards). If the state banned every air pollutant in Ohio, Ohio would be closed. Every business should be tested, if they don’t pass they have to cut out the smoking or improve the ventilation system until it does pass to have smoking again. This is what air quality standards are for. They’re not for smokers or non smokers or any particular segment of the population, they’re for everyone. Period. They certainly are not a piss poor excuse to strip a civil right away that’s for damn sure. However, the state didn’t take that approach and sealed the smokers fate. Smokers being a minority means the moment the ban goes on the ballot it’s as good as passed. Unless somehow most non smokers don’t even vote at all. Well the right to smoke has been stripped from us and we can’t do a damn thing about it. For most of us it’s a non issue. Why? Because smokers are a minority. So most of us means nonsmokers. I guess all the non smoking bar hoppers are happy. Let us see how happy they are when Clermont County goes totally dry. Maybe it goes on the ballot or maybe everybody goes out of business. It might happen one way or another. I wonder if smokers are in the minority if you only count bar patrons? I think not. I also think when the government decided to put the ban on the ballot the only people who should have been allowed to vote on it are state of Ohio liquor license holders. After all, they are the only people who have their life and lively hood at stake. Yeah yeah I know you non smokers say your life is at stake by second hand smoke but it isn’t because you don’t have to go to a business that allows smoking and you know it. So the only people who really have something to lose is the license holders who operate businesses patronized primarily by smokers. We decided our two cents would not suffice as a true representation of the effects of this civil right injustice so we asked the Eastside bar/ restaurant owners for their side of it. Here it is.

“Yes business is down, this Summer will be the toughest time for local bars. People need to realize they need to patronize their favorite places more than ever or their favorite places might not be around in the Fall.” Bad Habitz

“Kentucky’s loving it. They’re over there with smiles on from ear to ear while we’re trying to make the rent payment.”
Rhinos

“We have had a 40% loss and it is going to continue to get worse.”
Odell’s

“It effected us but not as bad as we thought.” Annies

“It has increased our sales. How about that.”
Paxton’s Grill

“Why would we have our soldiers fight for freedoms over seas when we have idiots over here giving them up. It’s foolish for people in this country to give up their rights.”
Pete’s Cafe

“When they passed the law I enforced it immediately and stuck to it...I like providing a smoke free atmosphere. It’s clean and fresh... but in retrospect I feel bad for the smokers... the law has no provision for them to have a place to smoke in... they should at least have a roof over their head and heat... it’s a shame.”
Putters Tavern (Milford)

“We have had a 10% percent loss on average and we have to build a patio now estimated at $10,000 and lose three prime parking spaces.”
Anderson Bar & Grill

“It’s killing our business. It should have been up to us. What ban is next?”
By Golly’s

“As a small business owner, I feel we have the right to be smoking and non smoking patrons have a right to not patronize our business.”
Mc Namaras Pub

“It’s very unfair.... we should be able to smoke... if you don’t like smoking don’t come in. It’s going to hurt business... it’s already hurting.”
KC’s Pub

“Yes it has affected my bar sales but not my food sales. Fortunately people can still smoke on our patio. It has definitely had a negative effect though.”
Miguels

Looks like an overwhelming majority of the Eastside pubs feel they’ve been screwed. Why wouldn’t they? They bought the place, pay the bills and strive to generate new business and then BAM! 90% of their customers... their regular customers, are mad as hell. The income from the regular customers is key to staying in business. Now it’s crippled. Just how many non smokers are coming to the rescue with the much needed support. Few if any. In fact, when you go out you see almost everyone outside. How is this going to work? Will they amend the liquor law to allow outside containers? Or will they just issue even more tickets for that as well. I hope you non smokers are still reading because you need to step up and patronize your local pubs every chance you get, I mean lunch, dinner and the weekends people. This was your doing and if you don’t support the businesses you will have put a savage straggle hold on a local economy for nothing. It’s not just the bar owners, it’s the servers and bartenders salaries. It’s the local live musicians, the taxi’s, the food and beverage vendors, the linen companies and so many more. This type of a self inflicted local depression we don’t need. Help save what’s left. Get out there and eat at the pubs instead of the fast food joints. Support your local economy so it can support you and your family. We won’t get a second chance. How about a $5 extra cover charge for anyone not carrying cigarettes? Sounds fair to me.