I'm happy to see that the proposed smoking ban in Peoria failed as the City Council voted by a wide margin against it. As I've said a gazillion times, restaurants and bars in Peoria that are near surrounding cities that do not ban smoking, would have suffered as their business could technically just go across the street. I am glad to see that the council believed that owners livelihoods needed to be protected and not force more government on business owners.
Now, before anyone gets all "I shouldn't have to inhale smoke in a restaurant", I am FOR the statewide ban. Then ALL businesses are on the same playing field. However, I still think TRUE bars should be exempt because smoking, drinking and BS is their business. I doubt many people go to places like the Red Barn for dinner.
See you around the table....
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
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6 comments:
But their frozen pizza is so good:)
Your worried about someone crossing the street in Peoria, but what about a statewide ban...what happens to Quincy, Metro East, Quad Cities? Doesn't effect you so your in favor then?
I'm concerned that if Peoria put a ban into effect it would hurt & maybe even close some businesses because they are close to surrounding communities that do not have a smoking ban. I've heard a few owners or employees talking about it and it is an issue for them. If I were one of those businesses, I'd be pissed.
I'm not really in favor of a statewide ban, per se. But I don't like what could happen above, either. It is the better (or worse, depending how you look at it) of two evils. If Rock Island went smoke free, what do you think would happen to the smoking establishment there if Moline didn't?
In earlier posts on this subject, I think the solution is to have the business prove that they are a bar or restaurant. If their alcohol sales are greater than food sales, they are a bar and are exempt from the smoking ban. If more food sales than alcohol, they are a restaurant and the ban goes into effect. But I know that will never happen.
Even if Moline and Rock Island go smoke free they still have to contend with Davenport, IA on the other side of the river. A ban based on a government boundry can't address the "fairness" issue. Your solution is much to logical.
Grayeb's idea for businesses to build a outdoor smoking section was also not feasible either. Take your example of the Red Barn, there is no place to expand. That would be unfair.
P.S. My uncle Dan owns the Red Barn
I enjoy the Red Barn, thats a cool place-I agree with you Kevin
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