Bill easing smoking ban endorsed

[The Straight Story]

Bill easing smoking ban endorsed


CARSON CITY, Nev.—A bill that would ease the terms of a voter-approved measure that banned smoking in many Nevada bars and other public places was approved on a 6-1 Wednesday by a key legislative committee.

SB372, approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee, which softens the 2006 Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act, would allow smoking in bars that serve food as long as minors are restricted from entry. Also, businesses could wall off separately ventilated smoking rooms.

Sen. Valerie Wiener, D-Las Vegas, who cast the lone "no" vote, said she sympathizes with the bill's advocates who say the 2006 ban hurt many businesses and cost many people their jobs. But she said SB372 "would undo the good work that has been done" by the 2006 act.

"I believe that what was done in the Clean Indoor Act was the proper thing to do to protect the public health of the people of Nevada, and I didn't see that any modifications would be appropriate," Wiener said after the hearing.

http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_12099228

[ixion]

1. good... I'd like to see the easing of more bans...

compromise is one thing, but giving one group of zealots their way entirely is really not fair, IMO.

[The Straight Story]

2. Agree - fundies of all stripes need to live their lives how they want

And let others have choices free of being punished for their sin of not following the one true way.

Which, by the way, is my way. So I know they are wrong :)

[MrSlayer]

3. Wow. Some sanity on this issue.

Color me surprised.

[SoCalDem]

4. Better option:

Let the OWNERS of the bars decide..and post their decision on the doors and on the job applications..

People then "vote" with their feet..

[The Straight Story]

5. Shhhh common sense is not allowed on some issues

:)

[MrSlayer]

6. No argument from me on that point.

It should be left up to the owner.

[Raineyb]

9. Because jobs are so plentiful that people can afford to turn down a job in a smoking establishment.

:crazy:

That logic makes no sense.

Regards

[The Straight Story]

12. Smokers are doing the job non-smokers don't want to do

;)

[kiva]

13. I'd be more in agreement with this argument,

but it's been made, in one form or another, for years. Even when the economy was booming and unemployment was low, there was the idea that non-smokers would be forced to work in these environments. I go with the opposite argument--what about bartenders/cocktail waitresses who smoke and want to work in establishments that allow them to smoke? I suspect that employees who smoke will gravitate to smoking bars, and non-smokers to bars that forbid smoking.

[Raineyb]

17. It's the argument NYC uses for its smoking ban

To be more accurate, the right for workers to work in a smoke free environment is the reason why we have a smoking ban in all businesses; including bars and restaurants.

Regards

[SoCalDem]

14. they could take a job at a non-smoking one..

:rofl:..

the anti- smoking people have been raving about how great business got once the ban went into effect :)

[Lugnut]

19. Wow. Common sense for a change.

Between the lousy economy and archaic anti-smoking laws tavern/restaurants in this area have suffered significantly. I'd have to guess that owners of these places would welcome having options.

[XOKCowboy]

7. Good. Blanket bans aren't the answer

Here in Denver they're trying to shut down the smoking lounges at DIA for no other reason than they're the only public building in CO where you can smoke. It doesn't matter that they are constantly packed and that the employees make more tips from grateful travelers than any other bar/restaurant in the airport. When you're flying you're basically trapped especially on layovers. You can't just walk outside for a smoke. Now is this right or just imposing your will on everyone?

[jberryhill]

18. Those DIA lounges.....

....were an oasis back when I smoked, and I connected through DIA quite a few times.

I can't imagine them wanting to shut them down, since there was a one-drink minimum for seriously overpriced drinks.

They must have been making a mint.

[kiva]

8. Good. When the measure was presented here in 2006,

advocates deliberately conflated the issue of smoking in bars with smoking in day care facilities, grocery store, and family-style restaurants. Many bars simply ignore the ban already, so I suspect the major change will be that bar will again be providing ashtrays instead of glasses with a bit of water.

[NeedleCast]

10. Kick Ass Nevada!

Bars with smoking and no kids.

If there's a heaven, this is what mine will look like.

[enlightenment]

15. Crown and Anchor on Tropicana and Maryland . . .

pretty good full English breakfast, too!

[denem]

11. "businesses could wall off separately ventilated smoking rooms."

What on earth is wrong with that? If the business wants to go to that expense because they see it as profitable, surely that's their right. No employee should be coerced to work them, but IMO, There would be more than enough smokers who would be very happy with that work.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

20. I have yet to see that work.

Restaurants have not used filters to clean the air when there are smokers.

I have not seen one that will spend the money to make sure that the air is clean by filtering it properly.

And why can't the smokers use gum or a patch when they travel?

[slay]

16. It's very hard for me to be sympathetic to cig smokers when I can't legally smoke pot AT ALL

However I do think it should be up to the business. That said, I think it's very rude to smoke around non-smokers and people SHOULD step outside to smoke. But that's just me and I'd be fine with just not eating at a place that allowed smokeing inside. Ever. :smoke: