Differences between Dooley, Slay could doom smoking ban
Slay, left, and Dooley
ST. LOUIS — Mayor Francis Slay and his counterpart across the county line are congenial political allies, rarely — if ever — openly sparring on a local issue.
But on the push for a regional indoor smoking ban, differences between the mayor and St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley appear to extinguish any hope of changes.
On Friday, Central West End Alderman Lyda Krewson introduced a bill that would ban smoking at bars and restaurants in the city — but only if the county passed a similar restriction.
The legislation is in line with what Slay — whose family has a deep history in the restaurant business — has said he would support. Slay believes that a regional ban would not place city businesses at risk of losing customers, an argument that seems to discount the potential of them gaining customers adverse to smoke.
Either way, in order for the mayor’s support to be meaningful, the county also has to embrace a smoking ban.
That does not appear likely.
Proponents of a smoking ban on the County Council do not appear to have the four votes required for approval. (Let alone the five needed to override an executive veto.)
A Dooley spokesman last week indicated the county executive does not support a local indoor smoking ban — even if the city does it first.
“What Charlies has said consistently is the only way it works is if its a statewide ban,” Dooley aide Mac Scott said.
And action in Jefferson City is what ultimately might force city bars and restaurants to go smoke-free — because waiting on the county doesn’t look like it will change much.
Those politcal idiots are nuts.So they are promoting cancer and an easy way to get it.How about if one of their family members were on a breathing machine,got breast cancer,had a heart attack etc etc etc.Well we all know both are selfish arogant so and so.I remember years ago when my dad and brother were cops they hated Slay.He is a bit crooked.
Economists Chad Cotti and Scott Adams attempt to explain the loss of employment in bars following smoking bans:
“Bars, on the other hand, sell environment and atmosphere first, with perhaps drinks second and food third. Given that a smoking ban fundamentally changes the environment of an establishment, the observed negative impact on drinking establishments that we find is not surprising. Moreover, part of the bar environment is the fellow patrons, which in many
cases attract customers to a particular drinking establishment. It is therefore possible that a smoking ban may alter the environment for
non-smokers, leading them to shy away from bars following a ban as well. This perhaps explains why the smoking ban’s negative impact on bars hits all types of counties, whether warm or cold or whether smoking prevalence is low or high, although the impact is strongest in the latter.”
http://www.wpri.org/WIInterest/Vol15no2/Cot15.2.pdf
As I said in my previous post, as non-smoker who is currently dealing with an incurable and potentially fatal illness (COPD) which I developed as a direct result of exposure to second hand smoke, I feel that I have a right to say that smokers are merely addicts in denial, spouting the same monotonous excuses for their inexcusable behavior. Any business open to the public is required by law to protect their patrons from hazardous conditions, which is why buildings with asbestos are closed until the problem is solved and why health inspectors routinely check for health code violations. Every study under the sun cites secondhand smoke as toxic to humans! No exceptions. Since when do the addictions of the few outweigh the health risks for the many? How can you possibly justify the health risks to children? How pathetic you smokers have all become. I’m going to end this now because it’s time for my nebulizer breathing treatment! Smokers/Addicts: Again, thanks so much for giving me this disease which will rob me of my life but not before it robs me of ability to work, walk across the floor, or pick up my grandchild!
Why would anyone want to do anything that may damage business at this time? Also, why is having the choice to go or not go somewhere not good enough? Why does our government feel taking choice away from the owners and patrons of establishments is the way to handle this issue? 2nd hand smoke is expected to kill approx 3000 people per year. The normal yrly flu kills 30,000. Why isnt there a ban on working or being in school while sick? I rather have choice and some risk than no choice and a tiny less risk. Hey Lyda been to Ill? see how well the smoking ban works there? was in a bar staring at a sign that said no smoking while everyone was smoking. The no smoking ban is just another waist of time. oh and who would inforce it? Cops? Plan on hiring more or just adding to their duties? I know I want my police spending time writing tics and hauling in smoking offenders instead of those pesky thieves and murderers. Oh, wait, a smoker is a random serial murderer - shouldnt they be eliminated from society entirely? lol to all those who feel their life is shortened by the few hours they may be exposed to 2nd hand smoke. Hey if you cant get a contact hi from sitting in a closet for hours while someone smokes pot, how can your health be affected in any perminant way by sitting 4 feet from a smoker? I think the stress of worry will take those mins off your life faster. Lord knows the coughing person next to you is more dangerous.
I would like to see proof that your copd was cause by second hand smoke and no other cause. Also, why would you want to restrict smokers to smoking in their home? What about the kids there? Why not insist on smokers smoking only in smoking places where an adult can choose to be or not? If your concern is the kids and the public, doesnt it make more sense to allow smoking in areas where people can choose to be exposed or not? Who do you really care about? What do you really care about? Choice is everyones. Public bans should coinside with illegal activities and not preferences that restrict choice.
Anywhere, USA June 25th 2017-In the aftermath of the tragic fire that killed 47 people last week fire investigators have concluded that two patrons got stuck in the doors, preventing anyone else from escaping. Alderman Igota Bigmouth today introduced legislation requiring all public facilities in the city to install garage doors as their main ingress/egress points and as fire escapes. “If the doors had been of sufficient size to accomodate normal size patrons, this tragedy could have been avoided,” alderman Bigmouth stated”
Fiction? Maybe so, but no less an authority than the Surgeon General is on record that obesity is the biggest health care crisis facing this country. The health risks are much the same as those from smoking, with one critical difference: obesity has been linked to the near epidemic rise in diabetes. Diabetes alone accounts for more health care dollars than any other disease in this country. Let’s see the mayor and alderwoman Krewson tackle one of the biggest health care problems we face.
Of course since less than 25% of the adult population of the country smokes, and over 33% of the population is obese, I douby that they’ll take this issue on. Besides not being politically correct, it might alienate too many voters and campaign contributors. Still it would be nice to think that in 20 years fat people would have to pay ruinous taxes on their super-size fries and have to stand out in the rain to eat them!
I have never smoked in my life. Both parents did but finally wised up and quit. Dad lived to be 83 but knew it was because he quit smoking 30 years earlier. Mom is now 82, lives in Missouri again, and quit 40 years ago. No doubt smoking kills people and cuts short their lives. Why would anyone want to be near someone whose breath could kill them?
Living in California, we have some wierd laws. But passing the no smoking indoors law was awesome. I don`t leave the restaurant smelling like I need to change clothes and shower. Common sense prevails! People just adjust to it. Businesses do to. And the employees don`t have to breath that toxic smell 8 hours a day. Think they`re not happy? The stink that covers every square inch of a smoking business makes it a very dirty place to be in.
Where I live, houses are very close to each other. When my neighbor lights up his cigar, by the time I notice it, my house stinks inside. I close most windows and turn on the fans to blow it out. Lysol helps too. Moving isn`t an option now. Point is, most smokers don`t care where their poison smoke ends up. In your lungs or home. At the least, Missouri residents deserve clean air to breath. Like everyone in America.
Go Rams! Go Angels! Go Lakers! Illegals GO HOME!
The “stink” is not dangerous so why bring it up when your trying to make a case for health? Would you eat in a restaurant that has candles burning? Its about the smell, not the fear of harming your health. The whole issue is fueled by preference not protection.
The “stink” IS the poison I`m talking about. As long as people are smoking, their poison breath just adds more into the air. Smokers can`t smell how bad it is. Example, a friend that quit smoking couldn`t believe how much better food tastes and how much better they could smell things. Now when they are near smokers, it makes them gag. They had no idea what they smelled like before. Secondhand smoke kills. Check the facts. Don`t worry, you guys will understand it one day!
I’m looking for local places to travel to for mini vacations that don’t cost a lot. Knowing that St. Louis doesn’t offer a smoking means it is off of my list of places to visit. Sorry, folks, but I’m not interested in battle with dry mouth, watering eyes and smoke-filled hair and clothes just to eat out at a St. Louis restaurant.