Starkville Smoke Free Air Act
There will be an update on the proposed Starkville Smoke Free Air Act that would ban smoking in places of employement, bars, restaurants, public venues, museums, shopping malls, sports arenas, hotel and motel lobbies, service lines, private clubs hosting functions to which the general public is invited, professional offices, common areas in apartment buildings, condominiums, trailer parks, etc. , laundromats (makes sense), taxis, buses, and banks. The act would also ban smoking outside within 20 feet of the enclosed area.
The update will include:
Advantages and Disadvantages stated by the public at the townhall meeting last night at the Greensboro Center.
A reasonable estimation on how the Board of Alderman will vote on the act, once reasonable amendments are made.
My Stance on the Act:
Up until last night, I had no leaning one way or the other on the issue. I could see the advantages and disadvantages on each side and could see supporting either side. That said, after listening to the advantages and disadvantages named by those in attendance and culminating my thoughts on the issue, I stood up and went to the front:
To speak out AGAINST the ban. Despite reasonable and understandable health concerns, it is the right of private businesses to decide whether they want to allow smoking or not in the free enterprise system that we have in the United States. Yes, some will say we already regulate these businesses in the terms of building codes, OSHA, and food safety standards so why not in terms of smoking. Simply put, the business does not sell smoking to its consumers. They do sell food, beverages, alcohol, and a place to eat, drink, and be entertained in a building that is supposed to not collapse on consumers while there. Also, someone can see smoking and choose not to visit that establishment. Customers do not see salmonella or other microscopic bacteria in there food, they do not see rat feces in the kitchen, they do not see busted pipes, and they do not see there food prepared with utensils that haven't been cleaned in a week. The average customer is not trained to detect faulty electrical wiring, assess reasonable fire safety measures upon entry, or check the stability of a ceiling in a building with rotten wood or leaky ceiling. Most customers however can see and/or smell whether people are smoking tobacco products or not at an estbalishment.
Also, some restaurants in Starkville are already smoke free but they do so by choice in our free market, not because it should be required of them. For example, Bulldog Deli, Peppers, the Union, the Perry Cafeteria, and City Bagel are all smoke free. Nonsmokers can choose to eat there if they prefer a smoke free environment. Now, some say that there is not a Veranda or Applebee's or Chili for them to visit that is smoke free. There is not a Dark Horse or Remington's or Rick's for them to visit that is smoke free. The simple answer to that is: Tough. There job is to cater to there market, not individuals. The simple solution to that is eat elsewhere like the City Bagel or the Bulldog Deli or stay at home and cook out there or get to together with friends and family for a pot luck for the social atmosphere.
Finally, these business owners put there money and livelihoods and families into their businesses. Its there choice as private businesses to choose whether they want to be smoke free or not. If they say and believe there businesses will struggle from a smoke free ban, then thats there right. Just as it is Mr. Fant's right to own a smoke free Bulldog Deli and Peppers. It is his money. It is his family he supports. To those who want a smoke free Veranda or Applebee's or a smoke free bar and dance club, build it. Invest in it. If you claim people want a smoke free restuarant or bar or hotel lobby or theatre, build it and they will come. If you all smoke free people truly believe Starkville's economy will be better off with smoke free restaurants and hotels and bars and theatres, then find your smoke free niche in the market, put your money where your rhetoric is, and build it. On this issue, let our city's businesses make there own decisions. There the ones that truly have to live with what some "haphazard alderperson" decides what is "right" and is "politically popular."
Worldwide, motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of death among those ages 5 to 29 and the third leading cause of death among those ages 30 to 44 (UN Tackles Roadway Safety). The burden hits financially also as the U. S. lost over $240 Billion worth of economic productivity in 2002 (UN Tackles Roadway Safety). I still drive my car. It's my choice. You still drive or ride in cars. It's your choice.
Let people's lungs, pocketbooks, and brains make there own decision about where to frequent as customers.
The update will include:
Advantages and Disadvantages stated by the public at the townhall meeting last night at the Greensboro Center.
A reasonable estimation on how the Board of Alderman will vote on the act, once reasonable amendments are made.
My Stance on the Act:
Up until last night, I had no leaning one way or the other on the issue. I could see the advantages and disadvantages on each side and could see supporting either side. That said, after listening to the advantages and disadvantages named by those in attendance and culminating my thoughts on the issue, I stood up and went to the front:
To speak out AGAINST the ban. Despite reasonable and understandable health concerns, it is the right of private businesses to decide whether they want to allow smoking or not in the free enterprise system that we have in the United States. Yes, some will say we already regulate these businesses in the terms of building codes, OSHA, and food safety standards so why not in terms of smoking. Simply put, the business does not sell smoking to its consumers. They do sell food, beverages, alcohol, and a place to eat, drink, and be entertained in a building that is supposed to not collapse on consumers while there. Also, someone can see smoking and choose not to visit that establishment. Customers do not see salmonella or other microscopic bacteria in there food, they do not see rat feces in the kitchen, they do not see busted pipes, and they do not see there food prepared with utensils that haven't been cleaned in a week. The average customer is not trained to detect faulty electrical wiring, assess reasonable fire safety measures upon entry, or check the stability of a ceiling in a building with rotten wood or leaky ceiling. Most customers however can see and/or smell whether people are smoking tobacco products or not at an estbalishment.
Also, some restaurants in Starkville are already smoke free but they do so by choice in our free market, not because it should be required of them. For example, Bulldog Deli, Peppers, the Union, the Perry Cafeteria, and City Bagel are all smoke free. Nonsmokers can choose to eat there if they prefer a smoke free environment. Now, some say that there is not a Veranda or Applebee's or Chili for them to visit that is smoke free. There is not a Dark Horse or Remington's or Rick's for them to visit that is smoke free. The simple answer to that is: Tough. There job is to cater to there market, not individuals. The simple solution to that is eat elsewhere like the City Bagel or the Bulldog Deli or stay at home and cook out there or get to together with friends and family for a pot luck for the social atmosphere.
Finally, these business owners put there money and livelihoods and families into their businesses. Its there choice as private businesses to choose whether they want to be smoke free or not. If they say and believe there businesses will struggle from a smoke free ban, then thats there right. Just as it is Mr. Fant's right to own a smoke free Bulldog Deli and Peppers. It is his money. It is his family he supports. To those who want a smoke free Veranda or Applebee's or a smoke free bar and dance club, build it. Invest in it. If you claim people want a smoke free restuarant or bar or hotel lobby or theatre, build it and they will come. If you all smoke free people truly believe Starkville's economy will be better off with smoke free restaurants and hotels and bars and theatres, then find your smoke free niche in the market, put your money where your rhetoric is, and build it. On this issue, let our city's businesses make there own decisions. There the ones that truly have to live with what some "haphazard alderperson" decides what is "right" and is "politically popular."
Worldwide, motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of death among those ages 5 to 29 and the third leading cause of death among those ages 30 to 44 (UN Tackles Roadway Safety). The burden hits financially also as the U. S. lost over $240 Billion worth of economic productivity in 2002 (UN Tackles Roadway Safety). I still drive my car. It's my choice. You still drive or ride in cars. It's your choice.
Let people's lungs, pocketbooks, and brains make there own decision about where to frequent as customers.
posted by mrholmes | 9:46 AM
1 Comments:
Matt:
I believe this ban is all but a done deal. It's only a matter of time before it's enacted. It will be interesting to see what happens to Starkville's sales tax revenues.
Like you, I believe the American free enterprise system should prevail here, not government intervention. At the very least, the issue should be put on a refferendum, but it will likely be forced on the city by the Board of Aldermen.
With the three cities of the Golden Triangle existing in such close proximity to one another, I suspect a number of smokers will dine and be entertained in Columbus and/or West Point.
The sales tax revenues of each of the three cities should be watched closely for shifts. That will prove the true extent of this unnecessary ban.
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