After Dark with Beth LaMontagne

January 16, 2006

Still on the Legislative Tip

I personally don't care either way. I do think it's gross when I wake up after a night out, feeling a little hung over, and my hair reeks of an ashtray. I hate wearing a brand new shirt out on the town only to send it to the dry cleaners the very next day because it's covered in smoky stank. And I can only imagine what effect the smoke has on those poor bartenders and servers' who work in a smoking establishment but choose not to smoke.

Since it is the season for introducing bills, I thought I'd continue highlighting the new legislation that could effect local night life. (And thank you Rachel Forrest for bringing it up after my last entry.) I know it's boring, but everytime I go out, someone asks me about it, so here's the info:

Tomorrow at 10 a.m. in the Concord Legislative Building, the state House Commerce Committee will be holding a public hearing on House Bill 1177, otherwise known as the restaurant smoking ban bill.

I speculate this public hearing will be heavy on the pro-smoking ban side. Indulging in cigarettes has become so frowned upon in recent years, I can't imagine anyone, besides a dive bar owner perhaps, who would ask the government to continue to allow smoking in eating and drinking establishments.

Regardless of these downfalls, I don't think there should be a law prohibiting smoking indoors. There are plenty of choices in Portsmouth, Dover and other restaurant towns in the area. If you don't like smoke, don't go to a smoky bar. While I prefer not smelling, I really hate trying to spend quality time with friends, particularly in the winter, if everyone is coming in and out of the bar all night on smoke runs.

If the goal is to make people quit, then go for the ban. Chances are people will be so put out by continually having to leave their drink and smoke outside in 17 degree weather that they'll eventually quit. If it's just a financial issue, perhaps we should give individual business owners, and individuals, a chance to decide for themselves.

Live Free or Die, right?

Posted by blamontagne at January 16, 2006 02:23 PM

Comments

..."If the goal is to make people quit, then go for the ban. Chances are people will be so put out by continually having to leave their drink and smoke outside in 17 degree weather that they'll eventually quit."

...Yes, they'll probably quit - quit going out to bars! Which is what several smokers I know in Maine did once the law went into effect - they just stayed home, during the winter especially.

I agree that bar/restaurant owners should have a CHOICE, not have to bow to a LAW about their property and business. I personally don't care at all if there is smoke in a bar, but I would choose a nonsmoking restaurant. And that's mostly because I usually have my kid or a smoke-sensitive friend with me at a restaurant.

Posted by: bullyforme at January 17, 2006 10:19 AM

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18	19
20	21	22	23	24	25	26
27	28	29	30	31