Enough is Enough! (St. Louis: taxes, live in, restaurants)

[loki03xlh]

Originally Posted by Fed Up STL Non Smoker

St. Louis smoking ban continues to move ahead — maybe | Political Fix | STLtoday

"Maybe?!?!?"

I am sick and tired of these worthless, self-absorbed politicians who refuse to get involved in helping to bring our great city into the 21st century! What is the Major Malfunction here? Are they being bribed by owners of run-down dumps who allow the same COPD/Emphysematic regular patrons in over the past 30 years to pollute the air with their carcinogenic crap? They are afraid to tackle any issue of significance. I have lived in the city all my life and I am tired of having to go to Ballwin to enjoy an evening out without smelling the garbage eminating from extremely stupid people who cannot read a warning label or can't give up their smokes.

New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, Denver - have ALL banned smoking indoors. All are world class cities. I think St. Louis should be included in this category, don't you?

Get involved!

Smoke-Free St. Louis City

The effect on revenue is a illogical myth. Non-smokers out-populate smokers almost 3-1 in St. Louis. Let's get the majority to make a statement to our City government, and clear up our air for our families and loved ones!

Get on the horn and, like Truman said, "Give 'em Hell!"


City Government Contacts


Thank you!

3 options for you:

1. vote people out of office that you aren't happy with.
2. run for office yourself
3. move

[AJohnston_STL]

Originally Posted by aragx6

Couldn't be happier that St. Louis and Missouri still understands the rights of business owners.

[skystl]

There's always the option to go to establishments that choose to be smoke free. If everyone stops going to establishments that allow smoking then eventually we will have a mostly smoke free city. I'd rather have that than have big brother step in and tell us what to do. I'm a non smoker for what it's worth.

[Jill61]

I understand the reluctance and the feeling that it's "big brother telling businesses what to do", but take it from someone who lives in a smoke-free city -- nobody cares about the smoking ban. Seriously, everyone adapts and it isn't even thought about anymore. It's actually insanely easy to adapt to the regulation. Really. It's not that hard on people.

Jill
Former smoker who still smoked when the bans took place out here, so yes, it affected me at the time.

[cutelili]

As a smoker, I am glad to find some places where I can smoke, and because I am used to smoking, I know how to smoke with non smokers, it does not go into their faces... I say if they ban smoking completely then I want to see an improvement as well with alcool and ban all alcool everywhere.

Smoking is a social pleasure, and it did not seem to bother people before they bring a ban to many places. It gave another reason to the moaners to complain.

It should not be a governmental decision, but the owners' of public premisses.

The smell of people sweating around me disturbs me more than any other semlls in fact but I have to do withy. This is called diversity and I don't think every one smokes or smells or drink alcool.

I am weary of people who want to ban everything like that.

Just stop countries selling the stuff and perhaps you will see some pure improvement. Meanwhile, I can still buy them and enjoy a puff from time to time. My partner does not smoke and he does not dislike it at all when I smoke. In restaurant, it is now hardly impossible to smoke if it is inside. But I smoke when eating outside.

So I don't share your opinion there, but perhaps you can make sure no one snokes at your own place.

[aragx6]

...As someone who also lives in a city that is smoke free, I can tell you right now MANY people mind. Head over to the Chicago forum and start an argument about it if you don't believe me.

[oscottscotto]

Shouldn't it be up to the business owners? If you do not support an establishment allowing smoking, then do not eat or hang out there. That is an acceptable protest.

As progressive pro-government as I happen to be, I disagree that business should be forced to ban smoking inside.

[newmba]

Here's the problem with the "shouldn't it be up to the business owners?" argument:

In the current climate most business owners are afraid to ban smoking because they will lose nicotine-addicted customers who prefer the 90% of other eateries that *do* allow smoking. We really can't expect many businesses to ban smoking even if it's the 'right' thing to do from the public health perspective.

But if *every* place bans smoking that would change for obvious reasons. In that case, there is plenty of empirical evidence (from other cities) to suggest it won't hurt business revenues and it will help the community as a whole. The US isn't a completely unregulated free market, and this is a case where it's probably a good idea to nudge business owners given the reality:
a) From the business' perspective, they will not lose revenue
b) From the community's perspective, there are significant public health benefits (eg, there have been greater declines in youth smoking rates in cities that ban smoking in bars and restaurants)

The county/city issue is notable, but I don't think the city would have any regrets if they took the first step forward into the 21st century.

[Todd.LA]

I hope St. Louis and/or MO pass such a law. I've lived in cities who've had it both ways, and I like living in cities with smoking bans more. As a non-smoker who likes to grab a pint of beer after work or otherwise enjoy an occasional cocktail at a bar, it's really nice to not have to come home having my clothes and hair smell terrible. It's really not that much of an inconvenience to smokers; they just have to duck outside. I just don't see much of a downside to the bans; it's not like bars are going out of business in the many states and countries that have such bans.

An aside: I'm moving to St. Louis in August, are their very many restaurants and bars that choose to be smoke free in the city? Especially with restaurants, how smokey do non-smoking sections tend to be?

[jlawrence01]

Good. After we have eliminated tobacco, I think that alcohol should also be completely eliminated. After all, it would be nice to be able to drive around midwestern cities on a Saturday night without the threat of a drunk driver killing me and my family. It is another health issue.

Just a MODEST PROPOSAL.