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Content from our friends over at Dallas Voice

Friday, July 4, 2008

Gay bar owners concerned about possible smoking ban

by John Wright of Dallas Voice

If the city of Dallas bans smoking in bars, Eddie Bonner fears it would snuff out his four-year-old business.

Bonner, who owns the gay bar Illusions, said unlike other venues, he doesn’t have a patio or balcony where patrons could still light up if the proposed ban goes through. Bonner said there’s no room to build a patio on the property he rents for the bar on Maple Avenue in Oak Lawn, and he can’t afford to move Illusions to another location.

Bonner said if the ban goes through, his customers will opt for other bars where they can smoke in outdoor areas.

“Every employee I have smokes, and I would guess that close to 90 percent of the people who come there smoke,” said Bonner, adding that he’s also a smoker. “People who smoke aren’t going to come there and be inconvenienced like that.”

Bonner said he’s e-mailed every city councilmember, including Mayor Tom Leppert, expressing his opposition to the proposed ban. Bonner has also posted a statement on the Illusions Web site encouraging others to do the same.

“I just feel really strongly that if there are people who strongly support smoke-free bars, then build a smoke-free bar, and make it completely smoke-free,” Bonner said. “Don’t force every bar to do this. Let people make a choice about where they want to go based on whether they allow smoking.”

Other owners of gay bars said they’re waiting to see details of the proposed ban before deciding whether to back it. Because the ban is widely expected to be approved by the council, some bar owners said they’ll try to use their support as a bargaining chip in an effort to influence the final wording and scope.

Leppert and other council members have indicated they plan to take up the proposed ban later this year, possibly as soon as August.

Dallas’ current smoking ordinance prohibits lighting up in restaurants and most public workplaces. However, Leppert and a majority of other council members reportedly support an expansion of the ban to include bars, primarily because secondhand smoke has been identified as a public health risk.

Others cities in Texas, such as Austin and Houston, already have banned smoking in bars.

Michael Doughman, executive director of the Dallas Tavern Guild, said the association of about 20 gay and lesbian bars remains officially neutral on the proposal. Doughman said members will discuss the issue at DTG’s next meeting in early August. But he said that for DTG to take a formal position, it likely would require a unanimous vote.

When DTG supported a proposed ban on smoking inside bars in 2003, some members objected, prompting a change in the association’s procedures. The 2003 ban ultimately exempted bars and nightclubs.

DTG could be a major player in negotiations on the yet-to-be drafted proposal, because it’s the largest association of bars in the city.

“We have some bars that support it, we have some that don’t. So we have to make a decision as to whether we’re going to go with the majority rule, or whether we’re going to take the stand that the individual clubs will take their own stand,” Doughman said.

“When it’s something like this that affects clubs’ business, we try to avoid anything other than a unanimous vote, simply because we don’t want to disenfranchise or desert any of our members.”

Gregg Kilhoffer, president of Caven Enterprises, which owns three gay bars on the Cedar Springs strip, said he’s already met with two Dallas city councilmembers to discuss the proposed ban.

Caven’s nightclubs, J.R.’s, Station 4 and Sue Ellen’s, all have patios that most anticipate would be exempted from the ban. However, some have suggested the council might try to extend the ordinance to include patios and other outdoor areas such as public parks.

“The concern with including patios in the ordinance is, where are these people going to go?” Kilhoffer said, adding that such a measure would create safety concerns. “Are they going to be out on the sidewalk pushing into the streets? Smokers are going to find a place to smoke.”

Kilhoffer said he also has concerns about enforcement and penalties associated with the ordinance.

For one thing, while it’s easy to detect when someone lights up in a restaurant, it’s sometimes more difficult in bars.

“As far as enforcement goes, I truly believe the bar owner should take on some liability, but I also believe the person lighting that cigarette should take on some liability to make it an even playing field,” Kilhoffer said. “I think those are going to be issues we’re going to have to take a look at in the ordinance so that it’s fair to everybody.”

Alan Pierce, co-owner of the Round-Up Saloon and treasurer for DTG, said his business could accommodate an indoor smoking ban by removing the awning that currently covers a room in the back. But Pierce said he’s concerned about potential language that would prohibit smoking within a certain distance of entrances and exits.

“I just have this funny feeling that this is going to happen,” Pierce said of the proposed ban. “We’ve just got to make sure we protect out interests to some extent. If it’s inevitable, then you’ve got to get with the program and try to compromise with them and be a part of writing the law so we’re not totally out in the cold.”

For Bonner, the likelihood that the ban will go through means he’s looking into the possibility of trying to install a patio on the roof, but he said that may be impractical or cost-prohibitive. He said the building that houses Illusions extends to within a few feet of the property line on either side.

“My theory is that if this goes through, and I can’t build something on, I’m just going to have to close,” he said. “I can’t afford to look for another location, so I’d end up closing. It would really hurt to have to close it, but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. It may be inevitable, but I’m not going down without a fight.”

Pegasus News content partner - Dallas Voice
The community newspaper for gay & lesbian Dallas.

Staff
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Anonymous

Clay213 says:

The rest of the civilized cities in the world has survived just fine without smoking.

Anonymous

1 year, 4 months ago
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Rick Yost says:

It simply amazes me that individuals can be so nonchalant with the rights of other individuals.
I'm guessing Clay doesn't smoke. (I'm not going to turn this into a Clay-bash, just using him as an example)

So since Clay doesn't smoke, he probably doesn't really care to go to places where smoking is allowed. Isn't that one of the great things about being a free American, you can choose to do something- or not?

Even if he accidentally stumbles into a smoking venue, before he has to reach for the oxygen, he can choose to turn around and leave.
Isn't that just great? Isn't having the freedom of choice just the greatest thing you've ever experienced?

When you go to look for a mate, you can choose any age, style, size, personality, color, or gender that you wish.
Isn't that what makes America great?

When you search for a home, you can choose any size, style, area, or price you want.
Isn't that what makes America great?

When you go to buy a vehicle you can choose any size, style, type, or price you want.
Isn't that what makes America great?

When it's time to vote for government officials, you can choose any of the candidates on the ballot, or if none of them suits you, you can choose to not vote at all. Isn't that what makes America great?

When you go out to a restaurant or club you can choose any kind of food, type of atmosphere, area of town, or kind of music that suits your fancy.
Isn't that what makes America great?

And if by chance you get to a place that is not what you thought it was going to be, you can stay or you can choose to leave and go somewhere else. Isn't that what makes America great?

There are many peoples on this planet that don't have such simple pleasures as the freedom of choice. It's one of the many things that makes living in this great country so GREAT!

(Now back to our friend Clay) All the Clays in this city- those who don't smoke, don't like smoke, can't stand the smell of smoke, should certainly have the freedom of choice. They should have the freedom of choice to go to an establishment that doesn't allow smoking.

Oh, wait a minute...come to think of it...they do have the freedom to NOT go to places they don't want to go to! They can choose to go somewhere other than smoking places. Isn't that great! Isn't that what makes America great?

The Clays of this city aren't forced to go to bars or nightclubs where they will be forced to breathe the smoke of others. Isn't that what makes America great?

Now, when my wife and I decided we wanted to start a business, because of our love for music, we knew there would be a stage involved. Since we both had some experience in the bar business, it seemed logical we would open a bar/music venue. So we did. This was our choice.
Since we were both smokers, it simply made sense that it would be a smoking venue. We knew at the time that we would be missing out on a percentage of the population as patrons because not everybody smokes.
This was a calculated risk as business owners that we chose to take. WE CHOSE to be a smoking venue! Isn't that what makes America great?

You're sick of reading it I'm sure, but I'll say it again, Freedom of choice is one of the things that makes living in America great.
You can even choose to agree with me- or not!

A large percentage of our patrons DO smoke. That's their choice, and it's our choice to cater to them. Our choice-just like the Clays of this city have the choice to NOT come to our establishment.
Isn't that what makes America great?

Yes, if a smoking ban in bars is enacted because of the Clays of this city, we may be forced to close.
As Americans, my wife and I have worked our asses off to build this business, work for the American dream of owning our own business, and in the bargain, attempt in a small way to help re-vitalize the downtown Dallas area. We've gotten absolutely no help from the city, no grants, no assistance from any city offices or associations, and no private investors. We've done this all on our own. At times in the last two years, it's been real lean in terms of profits. Not that any profit we've taken in so far hasn't had to go right to paying the bills to keep operating. We don't even expect to be out of the red for another year or so.

We've not asked anything from anyone except maybe to keep the street folks from running off our customers from time to time.

And now, after working so hard, we're seeing an increase in business, and everyone who steps in is pleased enough to become return customers. We're doing something right!

We've worked hard for our success and will continue to work hard for the business of our fellow Dallasites as long as we can.
But it may have all been for nothing.

Because folks like Clay can't stand the fact that there are places in Dallas where folks have the choice to smoke or not, we may have to look on these last two years as a waste of time and money.

I guess the ability of the Clays in this world to put hard working people out of business(businesses they've probably never even been to) is what they feel makes America great?

Happy 4th of July Dallas.

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1 year, 4 months ago
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Clay213 says:

This is the same trumpeting that has been heard all over the world before a smoking ban goes into place-- and every time after-- the businesses are still there.

Businesses that closed were probably going to close either way.

No smoking means more business.

And where do you draw the line with your 'free choice' garbage anyway? People used to be allowed to smoke in hospitals. Airplanes too.

Times change.

Now if someone tries to pass a law that says you can't smoke in your own home-- I will be right there with you saying it is wrong.

Anonymous

1 year, 4 months ago
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momzilla says:

But, if you employ a maid, wouldn't smoking in your home affect your employees?

We had a nice dinner yesterday evening in an area bistro that advertises itself as "cigar friendly." No smoking in the actual dining area, but you have to walk through the lounge to get to it. We had a great time with the rest of the bottle of wine we had ordered with dinner listening to a jazz pianist in the lounge area while my husband enjoyed an after dinner cigar. There were warning signs on the door that one entering might be exposed to smoke. Personally, I found that sufficient. If I was intending to live to be 100 (alzheimers and all), or sensitive to smoke, I would have gone to the establishment next door instead. No harm, no foul. Notification should be sufficient.

Anonymous

1 year, 4 months ago
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Rick Yost says:

Clay- Gee, that just makes all of us bar owners who'll have to deal with your so-precious smoking ban feel so much better! Really! To know that if the smoking ban extends to our homes- you'll be right there with us. It just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

However, this little insignificant(to you) business that my wife and I own is very much like our home. We pay the rent on the property, we pay the utilities, we have to make repairs, and we have to clean the place- just like our home. We consider this business to be our home! We're here more hours of the day than any place else.

I truly believe that if you'd ever owned your own business you might have a different perspective other than to just have us lay down and take it!

I know I'm not going to make you or anyone else understand this because you can't argue with ignorance.

On this fourth of July, I wrote of the American freedom of choice- something you called 'garbage'.

Like so many, your idea of freedom, and the rights of others is very askew.

All the sensible posters reading this will recognize what I'm doing here is futile. I see that it is as well but sometimes you just have to try.

Okay, I'm done.

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1 year, 4 months ago
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Jason Rice says:

Now, Rick. What's the 4th without some fireworks. I enjoyed the display alot. I started to poke fun, but heck, if not the 4th, then when the dickens is a man allowed a soapbox.

And now I gotta ask - are you speaking metaphorically, or do I need to start hanging out in your living room after shows? You don't have to publicly plug the venue, you can mail it.

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1 year, 4 months ago
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Clay213 says:

As I have told your wife before-- you can't discuss the rights of smokers to smoke in public places.. without trampling my own rights.

You avoided my question about hospitals and airplanes. Obviously you have a line.. so where is it?

As for owning my own business, it's relevance is nothing more than than a straw man. At any rate-- I have owned my own business since 2001. But thanks.

And when your bar closes down, you are welcome to blame it on smoking bans or whatever red herrings you like. I'd be more inclined to say it's your overpriced drinks and your attitude.

Anonymous

1 year, 4 months ago
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jtmbls says:

Gosh Clay - You sure have been snarky lately!

I believe Rick did tell you where his line was when he explained that his business, like his home, was privately owned and privately funded. Therefore, he should have the right to do as he pleases.
I enjoyed the patriotic speech as well Rick. So, where does one find this little island of Americana? Damn the Chantix, maybe I’ll even fire up and smoke with you!

Anonymous

1 year, 4 months ago
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Tracy Yost says:

Clay, Not trying to answer for Rick, but, perhaps making one last attempt to explain the concept - as a public service for the benefit of those that might read this. The line has to do with where people have to go, and where they do not have to go. Smoking should be banned in public places that most people have to go - for instance, most people have to go to the hospital, if/when they get sick. And most people have to use airlines, if/when they must travel a long distance. They must go to government buildings on occasion, etc. These are "public" institutions. On the other hand, no one has to go into a bar that allows smoking, which is not a "public institution" but rather a private enterprise that (under current law) has the freedom to: 1)allow or disallow smoking 2)allow or disallow certain kinds of dress 3)refuse service to anyone, for any reason 4)set it's own operating hours (subject to TABC limitations, why not drag them into this) 5)choose what genres of music to offer etc etc... "The public" can choose to go to a smoking bar, or a non-smoking bar. I don't know why this is such a difficult concept.

As for overpriced drinks - well I guess it depends on where you are accustomed to buying your drinks :-) Customers tell me on a very regular basis that we have the best prices in the downtown area, and that they are surprised that such a nice venue has such reasonable drink prices. I guess we can't please everyone though :-)

As for Rick's attitude, he won that fair and square in a back-alley card game with some doctors and lawyers. :-)

I don't know if a smoking ban would hurt our business or not, but it COULD ! (jeez if our business is cut in half, we WILL have to raise those drink prices....let's just hope all the non-smokies will be so elated about getting to come to our non-smoking bar that they are willing to pay premium $$)

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1 year, 4 months ago
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Robert Kelly says:

Punk asses like Clay who feel they should force their viewpoint on those private business owners through public legislation, suck. I don't understand why not just let market forces work?

No- I don't smoke, just get the hell out of how I decide to run my business!! If you don't like it go open your own!

What happens to cigar bars?

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1 year, 4 months ago
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Mike Orren says:

Hey Robert, let's hate the game, not the playah...

Staff

1 year, 4 months ago
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Robert Kelly says:

I said like Clay, not Clay, so I thought I avoided it with stellar semantics!

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1 year, 4 months ago
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Jason Rice says:

LOL so calling someone "like an idiot" will keep me safer in dark alleys. Got it. Nice one Robert - I'm calling you for proofreading. (no sarcasm, I really am laughing)

And while there's nothing I hate more than coming home smelling like smoke, I do have options when it comes to entertainment. And let's be honest, there's no finer example of unmandated "choice" than a gay bar, right? (no pun intended)

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1 year, 4 months ago
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jtmbls says:

Well said Tracy! What is the name of this place?

Anonymous

1 year, 4 months ago
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Jason Rice says:

They're playing coy with me, too.

To quote Doyle:

Google "Tracy and Rick Yost owners"
http://www.pearlatcommerce.com/
???
Big Profit!!

Verified

1 year, 4 months ago
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Tracy Yost says:

heh. well we have to work sometime -
at the corner of commerce and pearl streets in downtown dallas. You have the url. Mike Morgan playing tonight, watermelon martinis and mango chili margaritas on sale. come on down. bring your smokes.

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1 year, 4 months ago
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Tracy Yost says:

and oh yeh we have wifi.

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1 year, 4 months ago
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momzilla says:

Is there any provision in the proposed law for private membership clubs?

Anonymous

1 year, 4 months ago
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Tracy Yost says:

last time it was proposed, private clubs were included in the ban.

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1 year, 4 months ago
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Rawlins Gilliland says:

In a related concern, I just read this shocking headline:

Gay Carted Off Track at Olympic Trials

http://sports.myway.com/news/07052008...

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1 year, 4 months ago
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momzilla says:

That bites, Tracy. I'm over in Fort Worth, so hadn't followed the Dallas fuss much. But our city council has been similarly infected with the self-righteousness virus.

And evidently, contrary to some claims, going nonsmoking isn't a way to increase business since so many businesses of that persuasion are now lobbying for a state law to make it more "fair". No doubt, they realize that they are losing business to places like Hurst and Pantego who are more sensible and respectful of personal liberty.

Anonymous

1 year, 4 months ago
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Scott Doyle says:

Since when is smoking a right?

Rick, I could also <a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/collin/plano/stories/DN-fivedead_23met.ART.State.Edition2.4d6f138.html">drive </a> down Legacy at 98 mph b/c I'm late to pick up my kids - simply b/c one can choose to do something doesn't mean it's legal or a right. Also, profit = revenue - expenses...so if it's going towards bills, it's simply cash-flow. =p (I recommend following Jason's steps, btw)

Bonner said there’s no room to build a patio on the property he rents for the bar on Maple Avenue in Oak Lawn, and he can’t afford to move Illusions to another location.

Roof access?

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1 year, 4 months ago
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Tracy Yost says:

"Since when is smoking a right?"

ab antiquo.

from wikipedia- "Tobacco has been growing on the northern continents since about 6000 BC and began being used by native cultures at about 3000 BC. It has been smoked in one form or another since about 2000 BC. There are pictoral drawings of ancient Mayans smoking crude cigars from 1400 BC."

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1 year, 4 months ago
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Rawlins Gilliland says:

My sole comment on this ball of twine thread:

I hate smoke and smoky places and enjoy that smoking was banned from restaurants and all ‘public’ places.

BUT:

To ban smoking from free-standing bars is over the line.

No one needs to go to Lee Harvey's or Pearl or Lakewood Landing. It's a choice. Yes the smoking in those and other bars annoys me often, especially in the winter when it’s a sealed room. But that’s my problem, and should not be theirs. It's a BAR for God's sakes. Not a family or otherwise inclusive arena. It's a bar.

An owner of a bar should be able to decide if he sells Blue Moon (on tap or no) or not, offers live music venues, has sandwiches or bar food or not, and allows smoking or not. It's a bar. And his or her bar.

No one is being discriminated against by allowing smoking in a free-standing stand alone bar environment. Am I being excluded that nothing in a neighborhood woman's dress shop is for men? A lot of people are allergic to peanuts. So bars cannot serve them?

This is over the line and unfair to neighborhood and especially blue collar 'sports' bars. It is going to kill them. And why? To protect who from what? To protect those who would not have been going there anyway from something they cannot stand, that is injurious to their health. Like a bar is a health spa on a good day? Give me a break. Better still, have mercy on these independent souls who created a customer base you are now ready to implode.

My deepest condolence to all affected parties. This is a shame and a sham. Amen.

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1 year, 4 months ago
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Robert Lilly says:

Smoking is not a right, true. Smoking is a choice.

In a free society people need to be allowed to make their own choices. Including the choice NOT to frequent any venue that allows smoking. In a free market economy the choice NOT TO DO SOMETHING is what makes or breaks free enterprise. If enough people choose NOT to patronize a product or establishment then, guess what, it does not survive and disappears or closes down.

Regulation is tyranny when applied to objects of free choice and degrades everyone's "right" to the choices they make.

Don't like something? Then don't watch, patronize, buy, attend, or support it in anyway. Enough people do that and whatever it is will cease to exist because there is no demand for it.

Regulation of free choice is nothing but domination by a few, through law, over the many which that few cannot sway by any other means.

Domination of the many by the few - hum, does this sound like many cases in human history? Does this sound like the definition of oppression?

AGAIN: Regulation is tyranny when applied to objects of free choice and degrades everyone's "right" to the choices they make.

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1 year, 4 months ago
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Scott Doyle says:

Tracy, there were many a slave who farmed that tobacco and look where we're at today.

Dead horse. Dead horse. Dead horse. Dead horse. Dead horse. Dead horse. Dead horse. Dead horse. Dead horse. Dead horse. Dead horse. Dead horse. Dead horse. Dead horse. Dead horse. Dead horse. Dead horse. Dead horse. Dead horse. Dead horse.

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1 year, 4 months ago
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Tracy Yost says:

Slaves farmed vegetables too but I still eat them. WTF?

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1 year, 4 months ago
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Scott Doyle says:

I suggest you not serve them in your establishment b/c of it.

Also, highly suggest you take this to somebody who cares (read: not internet people) if you really feel it's going to change your life.

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1 year, 4 months ago
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Tracy Yost says:

No worries Scott, we do not serve vegetables :-)

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1 year, 4 months ago
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austinrebel says:

In Austin, it was mostly the neighborhood bars, the mom and pop bars, and pool halls that lost the most money from the smoking ban. The top of the line music venues simply raised their drink prices and cover charges to make up the difference.

Anonymous

1 year, 4 months ago
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Pavel Lishin says:

"I don't understand why not just let market forces work?"

"Market forces" aren't infallible, "market forces" don't care about you, "market forces" don't magically make things better. "Market forces" put lead in children's toys, "market forces" create child labor, "market forces" are anarchy.

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1 year, 4 months ago
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John McClelland says:

Smoking laws are one of those damned if you do, damned if you don't items.

Smoking is legal. But smoking is very harmful, even to the surrounding public. And in a bar, it is probably even more harmful considering the lack of ventilation or a seperate area dividing smokers and non smokers.

I don't smoke. But I have also grown accustomed to going to a bar and expecting smoke there. It's a bar. It's not a grill. It's not the movie theater. So it is sort of its own little world.

You also view it from the business aspect of the Oaklawn bars and others. The majority of their patrons smoke. They also make a lot of extra money on cigarette machines in their bars. You take those away, especially in the case of bars who can't add-on extra space like Illusions, and you can kill their business. Many of the bar owners don't want to take the chance that smokers will just opt to not smoke while they drink.

But I think the best decision will be made by the City Council. It's definitely not something to try and bring up in the state (like my opponent did in '06) or federal level.

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1 year, 4 months ago
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jtmbls says:

It is my God given right to choose to inhale carcinogens if I want!! And we do care Tracy. I have some Midol if you need it Doyle.

Anonymous

1 year, 4 months ago
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austinrebel says:

There's something wrong when a entrepreneur cannot open a bar that caters to those who want to smoke when they drink. The easy solution to this situation is to require owners to post a prominent sign outside their establishment stating smoking permitted or not. I have not seen one valid, logical objection to this solution.

Anonymous

1 year, 4 months ago
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Scott Doyle says:

jtm, is it my God given right to reign down fire upon peeps exhaling carcinogens in establishments I frequent?

Bob Lilly, nobody's randomly depleting your choices - if you can't see there's merit to health and hygiene concerns, you're not approaching this pragmatically.

I personally love the "omg free market if it was a big deal, non-smoking bars would sprout up everywhere". As though opening and maintaining a bar can be done on a moment's notice (talk to those cats in Deep Ellum about <a href="http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2007/dec/13/dallas-city-council-shuts-down-two-deep-ellum-bars/">that </a> <a href="http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2007/nov/07/city-planning-commission-meeting-thursday-could-de/">one</a>).

Simply promulgate that smoking is to be allowed only in designated, sectioned-off areas and be done with it imo.

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1 year, 4 months ago
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jtmbls says:

No, but it's your right to go someplace else. Or wear a mask. One that would make you sound like Darth Vader. The chicks would definitely dig it!

Anonymous

1 year, 4 months ago
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Jason Rice says:

Oh, man - ScoDo in a Black Cape and mask. Yep, your chick factor would skyrocket and it shows much more flair than the paper bag we usually suggest.

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1 year, 4 months ago
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jtmbls says:

I was thinking more in terms of the breathing apparatus that hazmat workers wear but, now that you mention it…

Anonymous

1 year, 4 months ago
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Tracy Yost says:

Special - Tonight Only - anyone wearing a darth vader mask gets cosmopolitans for $3.

Verified

1 year, 4 months ago
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Scott Doyle says:

Clarify this for me...

You want me to mask both my face and voice while hitting on inebriated chicks? Do I get gloves and attorney fees, too, or should I just drive to Mexico now before the rape allegations hit the intertron presses?

Bear in mind I have <a href="http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2008/may/09/pegasus-news-banner-stolen-terrorists-exclamation-/">my ways</a>. Do you understand what I mean when I say I have my ways, PN?

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1 year, 4 months ago
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jtmbls says:

Hey, whatever happened to that wacky guy from NY?? He sure could liven this conversation up a bit. And mention Hitler a few times.

I don't know Doyle, it could go either way. You might get the pity uh, date or just avoided altogether. But clearly somebody is marrying all those conventioneers.

Anonymous

1 year, 4 months ago
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Rawlins Gilliland says:

I say of this thread what one might say at the funeral of a pre-teen vampire: "So young and yet so old!".

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1 year, 4 months ago
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Pavel Lishin says:

jtmbls: Probably died of lung cancer.

Verified

1 year, 4 months ago
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jtmbls says:

Ha! Maybe but since they wouldn't let him smoke anywhere my money is on an anurism...annurism...How do you spell anurism???

Anonymous

1 year, 4 months ago
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Pavel Lishin says:

I'm pretty sure cigarettes put you at risk for <i>aneurysms</i>, too...

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1 year, 4 months ago
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fratermus says:

I would prefer to see smoking v. nonsmoking be a market-led decision. Having said that, it sure is nice to eat at a restaurant and not come home reeking of someone else's addiction.

I'd pay a buck more per entree for a non-smoking dinner, and probably two bucks for non-smoking with no poorly-behaved hellspawn running amok, screaming and crying.

Anonymous

1 year, 4 months ago
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jtmbls says:

Thank you Pavel.

Fratermus - Where have you been eating? I don't think I have been to a restaurant that allows smoking in ages…This whole food instead of cigarette thing is going to make me fat.

Anonymous

1 year, 4 months ago
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Pavel Lishin says:

Where's the outrage at the non-smoking restaurants?

Verified

1 year, 4 months ago
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jtmbls says:

Generally speaking, smokers aren’t a bunch of molly-coddled, whining crybabies who throw temper tantrums every time the entire planet doesn’t conform to their way of thinking. Unless they are going through withdrawals…and then it’s only temporary.

Anonymous

1 year, 4 months ago
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Rawlins Gilliland says:

Zzzzzzzzzzz

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1 year, 4 months ago
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jtmbls says:

Come talk about rats if you're bored here Rawlins.

Anonymous

1 year, 4 months ago
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Pavel Lishin says:

Rawlins, beating dead horses is the Internet's national sport. You don't see me booking a flight to Canada and then loudly snoring at the Igloo Building Competition 2008 Festival, do you?

Verified

1 year, 4 months ago
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jtmbls says:

Now THAT was funny. Besides, this is my slow time at the office so what else is there to do? Ooohhh…I could take a smoke break!!!

Anonymous

1 year, 4 months ago
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Scott Doyle says:

jtm, you didn't study <a href="http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2008/jun/30/dwi-social-problem-masquerading-crime/#c29149">my link</a> very well, did you? =p

And I'd wager if you sorted all PN comments by topic, smokers whining about bans would be pretty high up the list.

Verified

1 year, 4 months ago
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jtmbls says:

Uh, the one about you stealing a banner? I'll look harder.

Anonymous

1 year, 4 months ago
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Scott Doyle says:

Umm, meant the one on <a href="http://www.w3schools.com/html/html_links.asp">how to hyperlink</a>.

Verified

1 year, 4 months ago
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jtmbls says:

Oh!! lol! I jacked that one up. No, I cheated - Jason gave me the short version. It worked the first time!!!

Anonymous

1 year, 4 months ago
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jtmbls says:

Rats!

TA-DA!

Anonymous

1 year, 4 months ago
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jtmbls says:

Instead of worrying about those smokers, you should be worried about these crackheads!

Are you impressed yet Doyle?

Anonymous

1 year, 4 months ago
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Scott Doyle says:

My duck is beside himself.

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1 year, 4 months ago
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SonyaBlade says:

Don't be gay, stop smoking, duh. Yaaasheeeen

Anonymous

1 year, 4 months ago
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Rawlins Gilliland says:

Pavel, some Canadian igloos are more architecturally sound than others. They melt quickly from hot air. As for dead horses; some were once champions. On the other hand, some lackluster equine specimens were...dead or alive...defective DNA runts that could have never expected to live beyond infancy.