Friday, September 8, 2006
Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! That Ciga- *COUGH* - Ugh
Not sure what other artists or patrons think, but one DFW singer, Karen Naomi, is fed up with singing through the smoke in Dallas bars. Below is from Naomi's MySpace blog:
I've managed to come down with bronchitis... which I'm almost positive can be traced back to over-exposure of second hand smoke. this has happened once before. **avid non-smoker, here**
after playing my last show (in none other than a smokey bar) my throat began to feel sore. I recognized the symptoms that something nasty was about to go down... I tried to load up on vitamin c & echinacea, but to no avail. I've had a persistant cough since last wednesday (for over a week now!) and my body is just worn out from it, especially since it has decided to become a mostly dry cough for the past couple of days.
It was brought to my attention not too long ago, that several cities have ordinances against smoking in public (even in bars)- unfortunately dallas is behind the times; and for a non-smoking vocalist, playing in a bar on the weekend inevitably means cigarette-smokey-haze.
I've decided to take an extended hiatus from playing venues that allow smoking (at least where it is exposed to the stage). I'm playing at club dada for the R.E.M. tribute, but other than that I have no more "bars," if you will, scheduled. so don't hold your breath. so to speak.
Here is a brief summary of the non-smoking ordinance Dallas passed in 2003. Feel free *COUGH* to add your thoughts below about the sm-*COUGH* smok-*coughcough*i*cough*ng situat*HACK* OOOGUHAHCOUGH*ion - geez - in town.
Posted by Blair
Hate smoking, sorry, but it's pretty unpleasant, since you asked.
Bill Holston Verified
3 years, 2 months ago
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wah
ch0 Anonymous
3 years, 2 months ago
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I myself play in those same smokey bars but I dont complain because it comes with the territory. "Because smokin and drinkin is all that you do"....I do not smoke the cancer stick but if it tasted good and got ya high then I might consider it. Ofcourse after a night at the bar I feel like I smoked a pack. If they were to outlaw the cig from bars smokers would get used to it eventually after the smoke clears. You can do it!
Chatty McNasty Verified
3 years, 2 months ago
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I am not a smoker but the smoke in these places doesn't usually bother me enough to avoid them. There are things such as showers and washing machines.
I'm also not a fan of city smoking bans. But my wife has very mild asthma, and she gets to coughing a lot if she's stuck in a smokey room. Thus, she (which often means "we") doesn't go to smokey places any more.
Blair Lovern Staff
3 years, 2 months ago
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I'm not a smoker and I don't have a problem with it. What's the big deal, folks?
As "Chatty" said, indeed, it comes with the territory. If you're dealing with music, get used to loud ringing in your ears, drunks, smokers, etc.
Charlie McRae Verified
3 years, 2 months ago
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I'm pretty libertarian (small "l" intentional) and have generally been in favor of letting people smoke when and where they want -- and more specifically letting the proprietor determine the rules in their own establishment.
But thinking back on the two days of congestion I had after catching a show at the GTR last week, I can see the other side, particularly Karen's argument.
The thing that most smoking ban folks trot out is that employees of a smoking establishment are at risk and don't have a choice. And I have historically felt that if a service industry worker didn't want smoke, they had lots of nonsmoking choices.
But I wonder: Can a musician survive as a musician without working at smoking establishments?
Dunno that would completely turn my view around, but it gives me pause.
Mike Orren Staff
3 years, 2 months ago
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I don't think I have a problem with it, but singing harmonies is at times interesting with smoke being blown in your face. I'll tell ya what though...I got back from Austin the other week and was amazed not to have "bar stank" on me when I got back to my hotel room.
ChrisA Anonymous
3 years, 2 months ago
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I used to be on the "comes with the territory" side.
But get this, L.A. doesn't allow smoking in bars. And their scene hasn't really hurt from it.
As for smoking in other public places, if I'm forced to smoke your cig. then I should be allowed to relieve my bladder on your shoe.
So there.
Gregory Anonymous
3 years, 2 months ago
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light up the sky-before bush does.
strident Anonymous
3 years, 2 months ago
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thank you greg. I believe austin has a similar ban on smoking in bars as L.A.
you know, when I started performing 3 years ago, I too was in that "comes with the territory" boat. but after coming down with bronchitis every year since then (immediately following a performance at a bar)... well, I've decided I'm not going to continue putting myself in those situations.
I don't play music for a living (I play for my love of music), and I play solo acoustic, so avoiding bars isn't going to kill my efforts at performing. if less people show up because they don't want to step outside to smoke, then okay. I'm truly sorry to inconvenience them. are smokers sorry to inconvenience me?
I'm just doing what I can.
karenaomi Anonymous
3 years, 2 months ago
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I can applaud most efforts where someone is taking action instead of just bitching and moaning. I will definitely be interested in watching how this plays out. You will see this kind of stand against smoking become more and more prominant among artists.
Already touring artists such as Victor Wooten put a smoking ban on any show they play across the country. If the venue doesn't outlaw smoking for the night, his band does not play. Before his shows, he even plays a prerecorded request from his toddler child asking people 'not to smoke while daddy is playing.'
Alan Cohen Staff
3 years, 2 months ago
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If you don't like smoke, you should not visit places that allow smoking. You have a choice about which establishments you visit. Establishment owners have a choice (thank god) to allow or disallow smoking. Why don't you open your own bar and make it non-smoking ?
Rick Yost Verified
3 years, 2 months ago
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FOR THE RECORD
This blog was in no way intended to be combative and I am not conducting an organized "boycott" against any establishments, nor am I doing this to stir up any controversy. I have enjoyed great relationships with many venues in the DFW area and I most certainly do not intend to offend anyone.
I originally posted this blog for my readers. I was not aware that Texasgigs.com would repost my blog (which is fine, this blog is posted in a public forum so I'm not upset; these are just the facts) and I wanted to clear the air- I am doing this for my own personal reasons and I am not trying to rally anyone to side "for" or "against" my actions.
Thanks, Karen
karenaomi Anonymous
3 years, 2 months ago
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Is this the 90s? Why is this even a debate? Smoking keeps people out of bars and restaurants who don't want to stink, cough and sneeze.
People who smoke are addicted to it and are going to continue to smoke somwhere, it just doesn't have to be at the expense of the non smokers. The addiction keeps them irritable if you suggest not allowing it in public.
Should someone be allowed to bring a flatulant stray cat into a restaurant or bar and put the back end into the face of the other patrons until it breaks wind? Probably not, but that's where we're at with the Dallas smoking scene.
Plenty of other cities have bans and their economies haven't collapsed. Do we really think that all the artists and musicians from New York and LA are moving here so they can enjoy the smoke? I guess I'm missing the stampede.
DC Anonymous
2 years, 8 months ago
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"Should someone be allowed to bring a flatulant stray cat into a restaurant or bar and put the back end into the face of the other patrons until it breaks wind?"
Yes. If the owner of the establishment wishes to allow it and makes it clear to patrons that cat farts are part of the deal.
Now if the owner goes broke because customers don't want cat cheese, that's his fault. But it's not for the city to tell him what to do in his place so long as he's not conducting ritualistic murders.
Chez Cat Stank. Wouldn't even be the dumbest restaurant concept to open in town this year.
Mike Orren Staff
2 years, 8 months ago
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I understand that the smokers get all bitchy when the big, bad city wants to take away their smokes, just like when the mean old police department breaks into some dope house and takes away the poor little crackheads' rock.
Dallas all ready has a smoking bylaw. The owners disregard it, patrons either don't know or don't want to confront the smokers and nothing gets enforced.
When an establishment is providing services to the public, there is plenty the city or state needs to be there to oversee: smoking, cat butt and the number of rat legs per pound of pepperoni as examples.
I also wonder about having a little concern for others here? Part of the "if you don't like it, don't go arguement" doesn't hold it. Are the Roots going to hold seperate smoking and non smoking shows so everyone can enjoy it?
Would Dallas' smokers think about anyone else - maybe that guy whose wife is asthmatic would like to take her out more often? Is smoking that fun that it should come at others' expense or has the addiction removed a little human decency and consideration of others?
Flying Feline Feces - mmmm SAVOR DALLAS - food, wine, spirits and the - oh, we'll stop here. Hopefully someone has a sense of humor.
DC Anonymous
2 years, 8 months ago
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We have nothing, if not a sense of humor.
For the record, I'm a non-smoker except for maybe four cigars/year, and vaguely allergic to cigarette smoke.
Mike Orren Staff
2 years, 8 months ago
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Reminder that as of now, smoking is only regulated in restaurants in Dallas, not in bars. Maybe you've noticed that most bars ALLOW smoking, as did most restaurants before that right was taken away from them. There has never been a law preventing a business owner from having a non-smoking establishment, yet, few businesses ban smoking without intervention from the govt. Food for thought.
Tracy Yost Verified
2 years, 8 months ago
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What kind of circular logic is that? Smoking, driving, and drinking are not rights ensured by the constitution.
There has never been a law preventing a business owner from having a non-smoking establishment, meaning that they would have a mandatory smoking establishment?
One of the big issues is the number of places that are zoned as restaurants, post no smoking signs, but operate as bars with a significant amount of revenue coming from alcohol. Go around your neighborhood and ask what permit they have, what the official smoking policy is, and what they do to enforce it.
Mike, did you know that if you eat hot wings you can potentiate the heat by chasing them with a glass of cognac? This, in addition to a nice presidente is a recipe for a world class hangover.
DC Anonymous
2 years, 8 months ago
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"There has never been a law preventing a business owner from having a non-smoking establishment, meaning that they would have a mandatory smoking establishment?"
No, meaning at this point in time proprietors of bars have a choice - whether to allow smoking, or not. As do patrons - whether to visit places that allow smoking, or not. Seems to me that if everyone already has free choice, the only reason we would need more laws is to protect non-smokers who apparently are incapable of make the right choices for themselves, despite their vocal objections to smoking.
You are correct that many restaurants are currently "cheating" the ordinance. I guess it's kind of like bmv's, we can't afford to enforce the law.
Tracy Yost Verified
2 years, 8 months ago
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You're right in one part, many restaurants cheat the ordinance.
So, as a non smoker, you really don't have a choice, because if I choose to visit a "restaurant" that looks like a bar somehow, the ordinance says "non smoking."
I make a choice to go. However, if I start watching a Mavs game and sit down to enjoy a drink and a few snacks, if somebody wants to start smoking, no problem! The staff don't care, the guy smoking says "it's my fiftysixth amendent right, duh," and then what? Call 311, go through the calling tree and hope someone from the city gets down there right now?!
Suppose I want to go to a nightclub and not stink like an incerator for medical waste, but there is no choice in Dallas otherwise?
You know what, I really wouldn't care if people wanted to smoke and I didn't have to smell it and smell like it. If instead of smoking, people wanted to shove chevre and feline excrement up their noses, hey go crazy.
DC Anonymous
2 years, 8 months ago
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"Suppose I want to go to a nightclub and not stink like an incerator for medical waste, but there is no choice in Dallas otherwise?"
I wonder why there aren't many (if any) non-smoking bars in Dallas, given that owners currently do have a choice ?
Tracy Yost Verified
2 years, 8 months ago
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The owners won't do it because they're afraid of losing business to smoking places, whether that's founded or not is debateable.
So, put the ban on everyone for smoking inside and level the playing field.
If the smokers love it so much, perhaps they would relish the challenge of being able to smoke in any environment, one would think. Maybe what we could have is a travelling smoking circuit where smokers could compete in various events like number of cigs per minute or total in a night that travelled around Dallas patios - how fun would that be?!?
Alternatively, maybe it's the act of blowing around tire-fire level toxins that's fun? Well, noone is proposing that smokers can't enjoy exhaling into their own family's lungs. Just because I don't want it doesn't mean that Dallas smokers wouldn't still be able to share their aroma with their own children, elderly relatives and pets, so the entertainment that comes from seeing others uncomfortable is still available.
Really, who could lose with all of these fun alternatives?
DC Anonymous
2 years, 8 months ago
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You smokers can argue online as much as you want, but you're losing the war. Get over it. It's so nice to go out in a real city and not smell like crud when you get home--your dry cleaning bill goes down, too. (Though I bet aging Lakewood hippies who sold out and live in Plano don't have dry cleaning as an issue)
noleman Anonymous
2 years, 8 months ago
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I don't think this discussion is really about smoking, it's about freedom of choice.
Tracy Yost Verified
2 years, 8 months ago
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No, it's pretty much about smoking.
DC Anonymous
2 years, 8 months ago
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... ok i'm bored...
Tracy Yost Verified
2 years, 8 months ago
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Well, you could always just chill with a smoke.
DC Anonymous
2 years, 8 months ago
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some musicians do request that the venue ask its patrons not to smoke on that particular evening/event.. in that case smokers can in & out when they want to smoke.
eastside Anonymous
2 years, 8 months ago
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Dallas, a city of free-thinking individuals we should be proud to call the future of society! (for those of you that don't understand sarcasm any better than you do the concept of freedom of choice, that was a joke) Why is it, only the people who don't seem to have lives of their own, are so indignant in their desire to change everyone elses? Are these the same common-sense challenged people who instead of changing the TV or radio channel, would rather change the programming for everyone?
You know, if you don't want to be around cigarette smokers, you probably shouldn't go to clubs that allow smoking.
How hard is that?
Trust me, smokers won't miss you a bit.
Most smokers I know, are very nice people. They aren't intent on blowing their smoke in your face. They understand the smell, and the smoke offends others.
However,smokers will gravitate toward smoking establishments, just like they used to gravitate to the smoking section.
Is there a reason why non-smokers can't simply gravitate toward non-smoking clubs?
Individualism will not survive amidst this herd of sheep you're creating. I suppose then you'll feel safe and happy.
Speaking for myself, I will choose individual freedom over society's concern for my health everytime.
I know, that probably has many of you feeling faint. My apologies.
Not all of us who share your city with you, want to be a part of your sterile world.
Today, it's smoking, tomorrow it may be alcohol. (It's happened before) That'd put a damper on your Jello-shot parties wouldn't it?
My next comment subject: Karaoke-"It's unhealthy, and hurts my ears. It should be banned from everywhere except the private shower!"
Rick Yost Verified
2 years, 8 months ago
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Perhaps what you could do is come up with this expansive list of non smoking clubs people are supposed to go to in your next missive.
Again, if you could get all the pleasure you like out of your smokes, but I didn't have to smell it, I wouldn't care. Maybe a plastic bag would be a good accessory.
And what about sterility? Does smoking somehow help creativity? Does sucking back some smoke improve our arts and sciences? Maybe a few less cigarette butts would be a nice change in the city.
It looks like I'm going to have to pull out the cat again.
DC Anonymous
2 years, 8 months ago
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Seems like if non-smoking clubs were in such demand, there would BE some.
Tracy Yost Verified
2 years, 8 months ago
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Yost's. Y'all live in Plano. Your opinion on the policies of Dallas matter as much as the illegal immigrant's do. AKA, none. You want to change something? Move inside the city limits, register to vote, start a petition, etc. Otherwise your just another old dude in cyberspace taking a break from looking at porn.
noleman Anonymous
2 years, 8 months ago
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Um, the Yosts own a nightclub in Dallas. They have as much or more stake as any resident.
Mike Orren Staff
2 years, 8 months ago
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Awww, one more reason they should live in the city then. Too bad for them that their opinion doesn't count. Guess what though? Mine does!!
noleman Anonymous
2 years, 8 months ago
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Remember, we don't really need to debate this. There all ready has been a discussion and a bylaw exists, so who cares? Enforce the non smoking issue and get over it.
DC Anonymous
2 years, 8 months ago
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Bear in mind current city of Dallas ordinances ALLOW smoking in bars.
There is a bill currently under review in the state legislature which would ban smoking in all public places, statewide. I believe Plano is in TX (last time I checked) so our opinion DOES count :-) And yes thank you Mike... :-)
Tracy Yost Verified
2 years, 8 months ago
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Plano is in Texas, but if Dallas wanted to they couild ban smoking in your nightclub and your opinion wouldn't matter. Saudi's have more money invested in America than the citizens of say, South Dakota. But the Saudi's don't get 3 electoral votes.
But DC is right, your beating a dead horse. More American's live in places with smoking bans than without. If you want to be a hold out you need to move your nightclub to Balch Springs. But I doubt those right wingers are your clientel.
noleman Anonymous
2 years, 8 months ago
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You guys are killin' me!
noleman- I don't want to threaten your obvious mental superiority, (I am humbled) but if you learn to multi-task, you can open up your porn in one window, while writing your drivel in another. Just trying to help.
Rick Yost Verified
2 years, 8 months ago
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Yes, yes, it does allow smoking in bars, which is pretty dumb. However, there are many "restaurants" that look, smell and serve like bars, with no smoking posted that disregard the bylaw. If even that was upheld, we'd be getting somewhere.
Maybe he has Windows Vista for all those workspaces.
Go Texas statewide public smoking ban!
DC Anonymous
2 years, 8 months ago
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