Smoking Now Banned in All Connecticut Bars

[Led Zeppelin]

I'm psyched about this new law, one of the few things Gov.(Criminal) Rowland has done right in all his years as head of this state. I got so sick and tired of my clothes and hair reeking of cigarette smoke whenever going out for a few drinks.

Bar owners prepare for smoking ban
March 29, 2004
Associated Press

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Owners of small bars and cafes are waving white flags this week as they reluctantly begin implementing a new state law that bans smoking in their establishments.

The law takes effect on Thursday. Earlier this month smokers and bar owners pleaded with lawmakers to exempt one-room bars and establishments that have separate smoking rooms or high-tech air filtration systems.

It was to no avail, and now owners are stuck wondering how they can enforce a ban that they say will ultimately hurt their businesses.

"All I know is from what I read in the newspapers," said David Taylor Jr., owner of the Spigot Cafe in Hartford since 1971. He said he hasn't received anything regarding the ban from the state departments of public health or consumer protection, or from his local police department.

"I want to obey the law, but I don't know what I'm supposed to do or not do," he said.

As of April 1 bars with cafe or tavern permits will be required to post signs saying smoking is prohibited in their establishments by state law. Failure to post a sign is punishable by a fine of up to $99.

"Yeah, well, I'm just not going to enforce it at my bar," said Tony DeLibero, owner of Tony D's Cafe in Fairfield. "Ninety percent of the people who come into this place smoke. It's part of the bar business.

"And to tell you the truth, I don't think they're really going to enforce it here in Connecticut," he added.

Local police departments are already on the case, and bars and cafes that have repeated violations risk losing their liquor permits, said Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Southington, one of the architects of the legislation.

"Any permit is tied to their (owners') continued enforcement of all Connecticut laws," Murphy said. "It can be revoked at any time."

Murphy called the new bill a "worker protection law." He said it protects the health and lives of the waiters, bartenders and other restaurant workers who labor in enclosed, smoky environments for long hours.

Connecticut anti-smoking advocates cite a new Massachusetts study that found a reduction of airborne carcinogen levels by 90 percent to 95 percent in bars after a smoking ban took effect there in May. The study compared air quality tests in six Boston bars before the ban and six months after. It was conducted by James Hyde, an associate professor at Tufts University School of Medicine.

"In the long run, I'm sure the smoke has affected my health and I've been bartending for 14 years," said Tom Plefka, a bartender at Coach's Sport's Bar and Grille in Hartford who supports the bill. "That's a long time to be around smoke."

Smokers argue that bartenders and waitresses should find different occupations if they don't want to be around smoke.

"It's part of the job and you know it when you take that job," said Regina Leonard, a Spigot regular who has smoked on and off for about 25 years. "I don't mind (a ban) in restaurants, but if I'm out at a bar getting drinks I want to be able to smoke."

A few establishments are exempt from the law, including private clubs with liquor permits as of May 1 and tobacco bars. Smoking in outside seating that has a ceiling or another type of covering is prohibited, but uncovered patios can have a small, designated smoking section.

That's enticement enough for Bruce Harowicz, owner of Tom's Cafe in Plainville, who is planning to build a patio in May just to accommodate his customers who smoke.

"I'll go out of business if I don't," he said.

Smaller bars that can't afford to build patios are likely to feel an economic impact, said Simon Flynn, president and CEO of the Connecticut Restaurant Association. Flynn said restaurants, which were hit by a smoking ban in October, lost a tremendous amount of business to the cafes over the winter.

"The one thing I do worry about is losing business to the outside cafes," said Taylor, the owner of the Spigot. "I can see that happening. If I was younger I would probably say 'Yeah, I have to do it. I have to make changes.' But I've been around too long now."

 

[StageLeft]

Good. It's not reasonable for a private business like a bar to opt out of allowing smoking, because all smokers will go elsewhere, and they'll lose clientele. However, if they all do it at the same time (through law, or just agreeing), then the smokers will say "oh well, I still gosta get my drink on", and go to the bars. They should be spending that money on anti-smoking meds anyway

 

[DrNoobie]

While I think it will be good for overall health, and for nonsmokers, it really should be the bars decision whether or not to allow smoking. It's a private establishment, and they should be able to do as they please in situations such as this.

 

[fs5]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Good. It's not reasonable for a private business like a bar to opt out of allowing smoking, because all smokers will go elsewhere, and they'll lose clientele. However, if they all do it at the same time (through law, or just agreeing), then the smokers will say "oh well, I still gosta get my drink on", and go to the bars. They should be spending that money on anti-smoking meds anyway

I don't know any smokers that say "gosta"

 

[dman]

They should ban drinking in bars too.

/Thought this thread could use some additional kindling.


<- In favor of smoking bans in public places.

 

[poopaskoopa]

It'd be nice if I can come out of bars not smelling like smoke.

 

[Vic]

What was preventing your from going to non-smoking bars before? Why do you feel the need to enforce your opinion on everyone else?

These things are great. A business owner puts his livelihood on the limb and invests tens sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars to get his establishment off the ground. He has no guarantee of any income or return (even though the employees he hires are guaranteed minimum wage). A very small percentage of his clientele bitch about one of the habits of the majority of his clientele, that very small percentage gets it made a law, and they put him out of business.

Way to go, guys! You're really sticking it to the evil smokers now!

:disgust:

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Hmm... do you actually have a link for that BRS?

 

[Jzero]

Another victory for private enterprise! Oh wait.....nevermind.

 

[Queasy]

I'm waiting for the law that bans smoking in homes now....

/sarcasm

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: Queasy
I'm waiting for the law that bans smoking in homes now....

/sarcasm

That's not sarcasm, it is coming.

"Smoking is a filthy habit. Secondhand smoke is dangerous and claims lives. When I'm around other smokers, it makes my hair and clothes stink. THERE OUGHTA BE A LAW!"
And big gubment rushes in to comply to the childish whims of the mob....

 

[Led Zeppelin]

Originally posted by: KnightBreed
Hmm... do you actually have a link for that BRS?

LOL, yes, but it's from the Hartford Courant's website, which won't allow you to read the articles unless you become a member. So I saved you the trouble.

 

[Huz]

This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. I don't even smoke, I just hate government getting involved in things it doesn't need to be involved in.

 

[shimsham]

i would think that people driving home from the bar would create more risk to smokers and non-smokers than second hand smoke. since i dont go out drinking, im going to lobby for alcohol free bars.

that law is just stupid. you dont want to sit in a smokey bar, dont. go to chilis or tgif or somewhere. its not like its a health club or something. edit: and its a known fact that people smoke in bars, so its not like you shouldnt expect it.

 

[Led Zeppelin]

Originally posted by: shimsham
i would think that people driving home from the bar would create more risk to smokers and non-smokers than second hand smoke. since i dont go out drinking, im going to lobby for alcohol free bars.

that law is just stupid. you dont want to sit in a smokey bar, dont. go to chilis or tgif or somewhere. its not like its a health club or something. edit: and its a known fact that people smoke in bars, so its not like you shouldnt expect it.

So if there's a local band that's playing that you really like and want to see, someone that doesn't smoke and doesn't want to be subjected to secondhand smoke can't go and see that band because of that smoke filled environment? I personally was sick and tired of having my contact lenses buring my eyes because of the irritation caused by smoke. Oh wait, I wear contact lens, so I should be forced to wear my eyeglasses just to appease the smokers. Fvck that, smoke outside where it belongs, not in an enclosed public environment.

 

[Shockwave]

I cant wait till they ban cars. Damnable smog machines, polluting the air. Making everything stink, killing people.
They should ban alcohol too, theres no good in that drink of the devil.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: BostonRedSox

So if there's a local band that's playing that you really like and want to see, someone that doesn't smoke and doesn't want to be subjected to secondhand smoke can't go and see that band because of that smoke filled environment? I personally was sick and tired of having my contact lenses buring my eyes because of the irritation caused by smoke. Oh wait, I wear contact lens, so I should be forced to wear my eyeglasses just to appease the smokers. Fvck that, smoke outside where it belongs, not in an enclosed public environment.

You think that's your bar?
You think that's your band?

And I've worn contacts for 20 years, have smoked, quit, and been (and still go) to a million smoky bars, and never had a problem with the smoke burning my eyes. Go see your eye doctor.

 

[TitanDiddly]

Originally posted by: Shockwave
I cant wait till they ban cars. Damnable smog machines, polluting the air. Making everything stink, killing people.
They should ban alcohol too, theres no good in that drink of the devil.

People need to get around. People don't need to smoke.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: PhasmatisNox

Originally posted by: Shockwave
I cant wait till they ban cars. Damnable smog machines, polluting the air. Making everything stink, killing people.
They should ban alcohol too, theres no good in that drink of the devil.

People need to get around. People don't need to smoke.

So now we're utilitarian?

Take the bus then.

 

[Led Zeppelin]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: BostonRedSox

So if there's a local band that's playing that you really like and want to see, someone that doesn't smoke and doesn't want to be subjected to secondhand smoke can't go and see that band because of that smoke filled environment? I personally was sick and tired of having my contact lenses buring my eyes because of the irritation caused by smoke. Oh wait, I wear contact lens, so I should be forced to wear my eyeglasses just to appease the smokers. Fvck that, smoke outside where it belongs, not in an enclosed public environment.

You think that's your bar?
You think that's your band?

And I've worn contacts for 20 years, have smoked, quit, and been (and still go) to a million smoky bars, and never had a problem with the smoke burning my eyes. Go see your eye doctor.

It isn't the SMOKERS bar, now is it? Oh, because YOU'VE never had a problem with smoke irritating your contacts, you think nobody does? Maybe because you've smoked for so damn long, you've grown accustomed to it. Sorry, the next time you see your optomotrist, ask them about the effects of contacts and smoke. Then you'll see what a retarded statement you just made.

 

[TitanDiddly]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: PhasmatisNox

Originally posted by: Shockwave
I cant wait till they ban cars. Damnable smog machines, polluting the air. Making everything stink, killing people.
They should ban alcohol too, theres no good in that drink of the devil.

People need to get around. People don't need to smoke.

So now we're utilitarian?

Take the bus then.

Ah! Now I get it, since busses don't use engines, or make smog...

 

[datalink7]

Originally posted by: DrNoobie
While I think it will be good for overall health, and for nonsmokers, it really should be the bars decision whether or not to allow smoking. It's a private establishment, and they should be able to do as they please in situations such as this.

I agree.

 

[Shockwave]

Originally posted by: PhasmatisNox

Originally posted by: Shockwave
I cant wait till they ban cars. Damnable smog machines, polluting the air. Making everything stink, killing people.
They should ban alcohol too, theres no good in that drink of the devil.

People need to get around. People don't need to smoke.

Just to note, we should also do away with high speed internet access. It would cut down on illegal file sharing and pornography. And cancel sports shows as well, domestic violence goes up due to those.
See? Banning the 4 things I recommended would make people healthier, happier, save the environment and make the air smell good.

 

[TitanDiddly]

Originally posted by: Shockwave

Originally posted by: PhasmatisNox

Originally posted by: Shockwave
I cant wait till they ban cars. Damnable smog machines, polluting the air. Making everything stink, killing people.
They should ban alcohol too, theres no good in that drink of the devil.

People need to get around. People don't need to smoke.

Just to note, we should also do away with high speed internet access. It would cut down on illegal file sharing and pornography. And cancel sports shows as well, domestic violence goes up due to those.
See? Banning the 4 things I recommended would make people healthier, happier, save the environment and make the air smell good.

File sharing doesn't give the RIAA lung cancer, although some wish it did...

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: BostonRedSox

It isn't the SMOKERS bar, now is it? Oh, because YOU'VE never had a problem with smoke irritating your contacts, you think nobody does? Maybe because you've smoked for so damn long, you've grown accustomed to it. Sorry, the next time you see your optomotrist, ask them about the effects of contacts and smoke. Then you'll see what a retarded statement you just made.

No, it's the owner's bar, and not the mob's or the government's. The decision as to whether to allow smoking or not should belong to the owner, just as the decision whether or not to patronize the bar should belong to the patron.

And I had my annual eye check-up just a few months ago. Asides from being -7.75, they're in perfect health.