NJ Bans Smoking!!!

[Tiggeroo]

i think i must be wrong about claridge. I remember a bit ago some advertising about a smoke free casino and i thought it was claridge. I can't find any proof.

 

[lsyorke]

Interesting stat's coming out:

"Opponents also complained the measure is discriminatory because it exempts the gambling areas of the 13 Atlantic City casinos. They also argued the legislation is unnecessary because 67 percent of New Jersey's 22,000 restaurants are already smoke-free"

 

[Chicago526]

I don't know, I'm of two minds on this one. As a non-smoker, it would be great to be able to go to a bar and not come home smelling like an ash tray, and from what I understand, cancer rates among bar tenders and waitresses are higher than the general population, due to second hand smoke. On the other hand, smoking is still legal in this country, and I feel smokers are being punished, and a choice in how to run a business is being taken away from business owners. And while the local and state governments are banning smoking left and right, the are also raising taxes on cigarettes left and right. They love the tax money that smokers provide, but the smokers are only allowed to smoke at home now, I guess. Something about that just doesn't seem fair...

 

[disneysteve]

67 percent of New Jersey's 22,000 restaurants are already smoke-free"

That sure isn't true in this area. I'd estimate no more than 20% of our local restaurants are smoke-free. I will say that the newer the restaurant, the more likely they are to be smoke-free, probably because they saw this law coming.

 

[can'twait]

When they did this in NY the businesses all said the same thing and they are all still standing. It's great to go to a restaurant and come home smelling like food instead of like you've been in a fire. Smoking sections were a joke - it would be the next table from the non smoking section, so what's the point? I don't know how it was set up in NJ, but here it was part of a "no smoking in the workplace" law, to protect the restaurant and bar employees, and the customers as a bonus. I would have no problem with some establishments being set up as smoking bars/restaurants. I'm not surprised that casinos are exempt, because they won't make any $ for themselves or the state if gamblers have to get up from the tables to go outside for a smoke. If we find out for sure which casinos are smoke free, please post it because we'd like to check it out.

 

[KarenAylwood]

I don't know how it was set up in NJ, but here it was part of a "no smoking in the workplace" law, to protect the restaurant and bar employees, and the customers as a bonus. I would have no problem with some establishments being set up as smoking bars/restaurants.

The ban on smoking in NY was passed while I was away at college in VA, so I never heard this. I just came home for break one time and bam! No smoking!! It makes a lot of sense though, and I think it's important for the health of the bartenders and other employees.

 

[disneysteve]

smoking is still legal in this country.

Just because something is legal doesn't mean you can do it everywhere and anywhere, especially if it poses a risk to others. Drinking is regulated. Smoking should be, too.

 

[can'twait]

Check out this update...

"New Jersey Strippers Protest Indoor Smoking Ban"

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1501608

 

[wvjules]

So just b/c they are strippers and the ban will hurt their livelyhood its funny?

 

[disneysteve]

I find it pretty sad when someone is bragging about being a smoker since the age of 13. That just isn't something that I would be so proud of.

The stripper story was on the local news yesterday. My response is the same as what I've said all along. I don't think everybody who frequents these clubs is going to suddenly stop going because they become smoke-free. And some people who avoided them before will now start going. I don't think it will hurt their business one bit.

 

[ducklite]

I think it's great for restaurants, but I feel sorry for bar owners. No one who smokes is going to be going into a bar if they can't smoke. IMO, it's asking too much of them and perhaps many will go out of business.

Bull. A lot of places are smoke free, and still packed. I was up in Ontario recently, and there are a lot more smokers in Canada than anywhere in the states, and both bars I was in while there were packed to absolute capacity.

The clubs in NYC have had no problem still packing people in since the smoking ban ent into effect--three, or is it four years ago, and many owners will tell you their business has INCREASED rather than decreased. Additionally non-smokers far outnumber smokers, and have more disposable income because they don't light their money on fire day after day.

Anne

 

[arminnie]

I'm always amazed that this isn't the way it is everywhere - here in California, there has been no smoking allowed in bars & restaurants for a very long time.

I've yet to hear of a bar going out of business with the "no smoking" ban.

Yeah - California did that years ago. I'm like you, I don't know anyone that went out of business. Let's see - about 80% of the population in CA does not smoke - so do you want to target a 20% market segment or an 80% one? Seems like a no brainer to me.

 

[PrincessPatty]

Which property: Boardwalk, Taj or Marina?

Do you know if it is actually seperate? Sands used to have a smoke-free floor but the floors are all open to an atrium so the smoke-free floor was not really any better than the smoking floors.

Trump boardwalk, there is a totally seperate area, I believe it is an upper level, Ive only been up there once, but it is away from smoke. It is also very quite up there, not too busy like the rest of the place...

If you are going soon..good luck hit the jackpot for me!!

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

I think it's great for restaurants, but I feel sorry for bar owners. No one who smokes is going to be going into a bar if they can't smoke. IMO, it's asking too much of them and perhaps many will go out of business.

I haven't read all of the other posts yet but this one caught my eye. We have very good friends that own a small tavern here in Washington State. We just had a law go into effect that bans smoking in all public places including restaurants and bars/taverns. It did decrease their sales for the first week or so but I was in there Friday night and it was business as usual. I'm so glad that the law was passed here - I'm sick to death of going out for dinner and coming home smelling like an ashtray.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

That is wrong IMO. Private establishments should be allowed to designate which legal activities they will allow. I can't believe that everyone is so overjoyed about this level of government interference.

I'm overjoyed because a group of Non-Smokers got together, got a petition, got the referrendum on our State ballot, and I VOTED for the BAN. The Government didn't do anything that wasn't VOTED for by the MAJORITY of Washington Voters.

 

[disneysteve]

Trump boardwalk, there is a totally seperate area, I believe it is an upper level, Ive only been up there once, but it is away from smoke.

Thank you. We will definitely have to check that out and show our support for them doing that.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

First, have not read the whole thread. My two cents - it is wonderful. The county I lived in went smoke free shortly after my pregnancy - would have been nice sooner as I was very careful while pregnant! Now our State is.

As for businesses - both times we had to put up with the whiners. Time has gone by - and guess what!? - they are still in business!!! Surprise! I won't give them my business though because of all the whining and complaining they did. My feelings are - if you are in business, you roll with the punches, adapt, survive - or you go out of business - isn't that the way it supposed to work? One business - a diner - didn't complain, instead they added a separate enclosed section for smokers (I think they were planning to expand anyway) - after this their business was better than ever and everyone was happy.

I know many who could not go out and enjoy themselves before this - because of medical conditions - now they (or the simply health aware) can go out without a worry!!!