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They
Said It . . .
Quotes from those in the
know...
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From 12/6/04 Lawrence
Journal World interview
with KU student bartender and DJ who runs his own DJ business for
bars, etc:
Q: Well, I imagine your business
must be hurting from the smoking ban.
A: Not really. Actually my business has been better this
year than it ever has before. I've got a lot of bars that we do
every week. The worst part of the business this year is that there
have been fewer Greek parties. It has been real tough with
scheduling since the sororities have been having problems with
their catering company. The sororities are retreating to bars,
which hurts my business because the parties normally happen at a
bar where I already would have had a DJ. But the bar business has
been better than ever.
Q: Then why are so many people complaining
about the smoking ban?
A: I don't know. As a person who spends six nights a week
in a bar and doesn't smoke, I love it. People say it's infringing
upon their rights. I think you can look at it both ways. I think
it's a right for somebody to go and sit in a public place and not
have to breathe dirty air. The smoking ban is just one of those
things that gives people something to complain about.
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According to
Entertainment Editor Jon Niccum in 12/4//04 Lawrence Journal
World: "I love the smoking ban.
It's the best thing to happen to Lawrence since Liberty Hall
started running movies, Free State Brewery began serving food and
interminable Tar Heel Roy Williams left town...Opponents of the
ban have stated that people will simply drink at home so they can
continue to smoke, or eat at home so they can also smoke. But
they're not going to stage a concert at home so they can smoke.
Those who support the music scene will still venture out, and if
they're like me, they'll go to more shows and stay longer. And now
that I've learned through the years to appreciate a cold pilsner
or porter, I might even order two drinks instead of one." See
complete article
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Restaurant
owner, manager & employee quotes in support of smoke-free air
from Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights website
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Policy-maker
quotes in support of smoke-free air from Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights website
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Bowling
center and associatoin quotes in support of smoke-free air
from Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights website
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According to John C.
Burton, a California beverage manager and restaurant owner, food
and beverage revenue went up about 20 to 30 percent after
California's no smoking ban went into effect. In addition,
employees had fewer sick days resulting from sinus problems, and
the staff stopped "sniffing" from sinus problems.
See
complete quote
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According to Ari Hest, a
singer-songwriter from New
York City who has headlined several shows at the Bottleneck in
Lawrence and who recently signed with Columbia Records: "Smokey venues are much more
difficult to sing in. My throat just can't handle the dryness of
the air, and it forces me to take shorter breaths when I'm
performing, which means the vocals rarely have the same vitality
and presence that I'm used to, and the end result is that the
audience doesn't get the show they're used to."
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According to a national
recording artist who performs worldwide and who recently wrote to
the Lawrence City Commissioners on behalf of a smoking ban in
workplaces, singing/working in smoke-filled venues for the past
20+ years tortures his vocal cords, depletes his lung capacity and
causes shortness of breath, and ultimately was responsible for repeated
infections resulting in the removal of his tonsils and
adenoids.
See complete letter
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"Anyone who thinks that smokers would drive to
Kansas City or Topeka to light up while they're at a bar is crazy.
They're there to drink, not smoke." Quote
from a 23-year-old KU student
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Smoking
bans work! Ongoing reader reaction discussion thread at
the online version of the Lawrence Journal World newspaper.
See Dina's
response in particular. |
Also see:
Tobacco Industry Arguments & Rebuttals
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Douglas County
Community Health
Improvement Project
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Lawrence-Douglas
County Department of Health |
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Lawrence,
KS 66044 