Roll on the 10th December Smokefree bars

[Drunken Monkey]

People have said the same thing in New York and California, but it didn't turn to custard there.

I'm sure it'll be a self-fulfilling prophecy for a few.

I haven't had any data on New York, but I understand from recent visitors and contractors I know who have worked over there that the smoking ban in California is flagrantly ignored and not enforced in many establishments. They had no trouble finding many a bar, cafe or restaurant they could sit in and light up without being told to extinguish the cigaratte or be the only smokers in that particular establishment.

There was a recent BBC news article on the effects of the smoking ban in Ireland.
Walk-in type boulevard pubs in the major centres noticed little difference in business - they usually have enough foot traffic going past to get the customers. The general consensus in this area was positive support of the smoking ban.
Unfortunately the law appears to have started the demise of the small-town country pub. Something like 80% (can't remember the exact figure they quoted) of small-town pub owners have cancelled or put on hold indefinately plans they had to develop their businesses (property increases/improvements). Not a single pub owner surveyed had hired more staff since the changes. 'Many' (they didn't specify _how_ many) were reported to have not replaced staff members who had left.

It's quite a shame to hear the second part. Small-town pubs all over Europe are an integral part of the community, and are not just places yobbos go to to get 'wankered' on a Friday night. They also have a character the 'franchise' pubs in the cities sadly lack.

We don't have the same kind of small-town pub culture in New Zealand, although I wouldn't be surprised if they were more adversely effected than pubs in the cities - they don't have the same pool of casual clientele.

The issue I have with the change is existing law allowed for a proprietor to run a completely smoke-free pub or restaurant. Why should all proprietors be forced to run a completely smoke-free environment in their establishment? It is their private business. Non-smokers do not have to go to their establishment if they don't like it.

The true test will be if the non-smoking lobby follows through with their promise to return to pubs. If pub business increases as a direct result and maintains a higher level (rather than just a few months as the fad comes and goes) then I guess it will be a good thing. If pubs lose business long term, that would be...well a bloody typical result - would the non-smoking lobby then like to raise some money to bail out businesses that directly suffered form a draconian law?

bleh, end waffle...

[Blakamin]

we have actually heard from a lot of our clients that they want to change their 12 month leases to a month by month basis.....
we have also lost alot from potential clients wanting a machine, but not knowing if they're going to be able to afford it.... at the moment, our manufacturing of new machines is just for export... this time last year we had to hire to new people just to cover the local market... now they're standing around and sweeping floors

[Yamahamaman]

Even though I'm a half-arsed smoker ( I only smoke at work, and when I'm drinking) I'm all for no smoking in bars. But they should be placing ashtrays outside for the smokers to get rid of their butts.

Then again - take your own ashtray so that you can have the pleasure of cleaning it out when you have finished using it. Why let some other poor sole do it?

[Jackrat]

I belong to a private club that pretty much does what it likes.
You can't get though the front gate without an invite,we have no issue with the new laws.They don't apply to us.
I think clubs like ours will become more common but I feel sorry for the owner of the small country pub a few Kms down the road from us.
He knows he's buggered,most of his customers are farmers and most of them smoke.It's a pity because his place has been there for close to 50 years an now it's going down the drain because the Gov't only passes laws for the few.
None of these AK yuppies come out here, yet his customers have to live by their rules.
Weather it's noise at THE SPRINGS or smoking in public bars where the whingers wouldn't have felt comfortable anyway,this country is being changed in a very nasty way by the constant whinging of the PC crowd.
One thing I know for sure is that if any ASH types are ever found slimeing their way into our place,nobody here will be ringing the amb'o for them.
We intend to preserve our way of life,it's why our club was formed.

[Paul in NZ]

We intend to preserve our way of life,it's why our club was formed.

I'd humbly suggest that if you want to preserve your life you stop smoking.

None of my damn business of course as long as you don't steal any of my years I don't care!

But! To suggest this law is being supported by a few loonies against the wishes of the many I think is drawing a pretty long bow Jackrat. I think you would be amazed at the number of people looking forwards to this. Smokers are definately in the minority!

Paul N

[Skyryder]

reckon this law will be commercial suicide... i get to speak to bar owners/managers a fair bit at work...and they're shittin bricks!

Got talking to bar owner in Cali, a few years back and they had much the same fear. Turned out with the smoking ban their profits were up. More punters an apparently non smokers drink faster.

Skyryder

[Skyryder]

shit.... I've been smoking constanly since i was 10.... was started by an older family member at 8.... gave up once when i was 13 for about 2 months...(got expelled and thus belted)
I actually enjoy smoking... only smoke rollies, only about 12 a day.... (unless i'm at the pub or a party) take my butts with me when I visit non-smokers (dare ya to find one of mine in ya garden, Paul in NZ) ... only smoke outside....(unless at aforementioned pub) and generally think of other people!
just looks like i wont go to pubs no more... they are gunna lose some $$$, let me tell ya

See my post on this.

Thought you were going to give up. What happened??


Skyryder

[Skyryder]

I don't think that's the same deal as passive smoking, dude.

Why not.

Skyryder

[NC]

Then again - take your own ashtray so that you can have the pleasure of cleaning it out when you have finished using it. Why let some other poor sole do it?

Do you clean public toilets after you use them?

[NC]

Why not.

Skyryder

Are you going to eat Asparigus before you do it?




Skyryder....Ooops

NC30_Chick

[Yamahamaman]

Do you clean public toilets after you use them?

Smokers use them as ashtrays as well. Have you ever tried flushing a cigarette butt - I haven't as I don't smoke, however a lot have tried without success. Good reason not to use public toilets.

[Hitcher]

Beware the long, seductive and politically-correct wedge that is smokefree legislation, gentle readers, for it is the beginning of the end.

So what's next? Get ready for the "fat tax". Enjoy those sausages, chops and chicken drumsticks for the day of reckoning is nigh.

And then? Sugar, the new cigarette smoke. Bye bye Coke, so long Tui beer, farewell to chocolate, I think I'm going to cry. Bye bye sugar goodbye.

Motorcyclists of all people were I thought committed to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But I guess I was wrong.

How many posts have I read on this site howling indignation at such things as:

-- The Police
-- Hidden speed cameras
-- Exhaust noise restrictions
-- Discriminatory ACC levies
-- Cheesecutter median barriers
-- Unsignposted roadworks (to name but a few).

Wake up and smell the coffee while ye may!

The Assyrian came down as a wolf on the fold...

[NC]

Smokers use them as ashtrays as well.

That wasn't the question I asked you.

Have you ever tried flushing a cigarette butt - I haven't as I don't smoke

Takes a couple of goes, just like a heavy cable.

however a lot have tried without success.

So your trying to tell me, that through word of mouth from the smoking community that there are toilets out there jam packed full of cigarette butts? That can't flush cause they are unflushable?

Good reason not to use public toilets.

So you go and piss on peoples walls so the street stinks and someone has to come along and clean it, because you wont use a public toilet in fear of an unflushable cigarette butt?

[Jackrat]

I'd humbly suggest that if you want to preserve your life you stop smoking.

None of my damn business of course as long as you don't steal any of my years I don't care!

But! To suggest this law is being supported by a few loonies against the wishes of the many I think is drawing a pretty long bow Jackrat. I think you would be amazed at the number of people looking forwards to this. Smokers are definately in the minority!

Paul N

Not a problem,don't come to our club.

[Yamahamaman]

Takes a couple of goes, just like a heavy cable.

Have you ever had the experience of cleaning a urinal - no I guess not. Cigarette butts don't flush anywhere in those!!!

And no, I don't pee on other peoples trees et al. I leave that to the cat's.