MINNEAPOLIS APPROVES SMOKING BAN!!

[Worst Username Ever]

Got this via email from the Strib, sorry, no link yet:
BYLINE: Rochelle Olson
CREDITLINE: Star Tribune
HEADLINE: Minneapolis council OKs smoking ban

There will be no smoking in bars and restaurants in the state's largest city beginning March 31.
The Minneapolis city council approved the smoking ban Friday on a 12-1 vote, culminating several months of debate in Minneapolis and several other cities around the state.
Bans have been seen as potentially harmful to small businesses. The Minneapolis measure passed despite several attempts to amend it. Council Member Barrett Lane cast the only vote in opposition.
The Minneapolis action follows a vote by Bloomington early Tuesday morning. The Bloomington ban is more restrictive because it applies to bars, restaurants and workplaces. Bloomington also banned smoking within 25 feet of entrances, exits, open windows and ventilation intakes.
The St. Paul City Council is expected to vote Wednesday on whether to override Mayor Randy Kelly's veto of the a ban passed by the council. Rochelle Olson is at [e-mail]

[boneygrey]

1. Mental note to self

don't move to Minneapolis:smoke:

[chicaloca]

2. Link

http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4891250.html

[Lydia Leftcoast]

3. There's no smoking in restaurants in Oregon

and people survive.

There's also no smoking in many of the most popular brew pubs out there, so it's a myth that bars will go out of business if people aren't allowed to smoke.

I know more people who avoid bars because of the smoke than I know people who smoke.

[boneygrey]

4. Another mental not to self

Don't move to Oregon either.:smoke:

[Shananigans]

5. So sad...

Although I agree that smoking can be harmful to many people, since when have we decided to tell our businesses how to run. What an abuse of our constitutional rights.

As a non-smoker working in a bar I can say that this most definately will affect the amount of money that I earn. The majority of my customers smoke (I'd say 80%) and we provide a non-smoking section for those who don't. What more do we want from small business owners? Also, as a server I CHOOSE to work in this industry. Although there are times that the smoke bothers me, there are times at my other job where my co-workers bother me. Shall we ban them?

I'm not sure about the statistics on Oregon, but I would venture to guess that they are probably put out by a smoke-free coalition. I recommend checking out some of the stories of lost jobs, etc in Ireland due to their smoking ban. It's very sad.

[Berserker]

6. The non smoking section in most restaurants

are a frickin joke. I don't smoke nor do my children so why should we have to breath in the crap in restaurants? It's about time this happens. Non smokers that like to have a few drinks and have tears in there eyes from so much smoke is not enjoyable or healthy. And it stinks! Smoking is a Rotten,Filthy and Disgusting Habit. I don't feel sorry for any of you.:nopity:

[Shananigans]

8. Hmmm....so I find it annoying that people bring children with them

to restaurants. They run around, act unrurly, throw food under the table, give me a headache and basically ruin my dining experience 9 times out of 10. Unfortunately, we don't have child free sections in restaurants so that's not an option.

What would you say if the question of a child-ban was up on the ballot. Let's all tell small businesses that they can't have children in restaurants. I am sure I could find some statistics that say restaurant owners don't lose any money and that diners would be much healthier (sans stress) and happier without children around. We could start with the ban in Minneapolis and move out from there.

Children are rotten, filthy and disgusting and I don't feel sorry for anyone that can't bring them in public. I have absolutely no pity for those of you who couldn't figure out to use birth control long enough to stop from getting knocked up or knocking someone else up. And I should have the RIGHT to go out to dinner and have some chow in peace and quiet without these little monsters ruining the experience!

All those for a child ban say aye!!!!!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

7. There IS smoking allowed in bars in Oregon

(where I lived until last summer) but most of the brew pubs are nonsmoking, and they're usually packed.

Personally, I and a lot of people I know actually avoid bars because of the smoke.