Council supports more smoking regulations
Council members back the idea of tighter smoking regulations in the city saying outdoor dining areas and bus stops might be the next place to target an expanded smoking ban.
The council met during an afternoon workshop and directed staff members to solicit public opinion on the idea of expanding the current smoking ban. An ordinance passed in February prohibits smoking in city-owned spaces (like the Cultural Center courtyard, City Hall parking area, etc.)
Some of the areas city officials want the smoking ban to reach include hotels, apartments and restaurants with outdoor patios. Staff members will spend the next several months collecting public input before drafting an ordinance by the summer of 2009.
Mayor Don Kurth is an ardent supporter of a wide-reaching smoking ban. He said many restaurants opposed the indoor smoking ban when it was first introduced but now, the regulation is much appreciated.
"Most of them will say (the indoor smoking ban) has not hurt their business one bit," Kurth said. "It has increased business. Now states all across the nation have passed the same law."
If so many of these businesses are happy to go non-smoking and find that it doesn't hurt their businesses, why don't we just let the free market make the decision and non-smokers (such as myself) can vote with their feet by going to a different restaurant?
Nobody is forcing anyone to go to a restaurant or hotel that allow smoking, and current bans already in effect make it incredibly easy for you to find a non-smoking establishment if you want one.
Seriously: Is it really that hard to take a little personal responsibility? As a non-smoker, I can't remember the last time I had to deal with unwanted smoke coming my way.
If you don't like the environment associated with a given business, don't give said business your money. Legislating and outlawing other peoples' personal habits strikes me as paternalistic and unnecessary.
- J
Absolutely rediculous. And this is coming from a non smoker - well for the past 8 years anyway. Bus Stops??!! Privately owned retaurants??!! And the worst offender - apartments??!! So apartment-renting smokers can no longer partake in their own crutch in their own living area?! Sounds like the next thing would be to criminalize tobacco. VERY disapointed in my City Council.