Smoking Bans throughout the Metro

[DJPrato]

OLATHE | Most bars, restaurants included
Council OKs smoking ban
Private clubs, fraternal organizations exempted. City considers a start date of mid-November.
By BRAD COOPER
The Kansas City Star

Anti-smoking advocates notched a win in one of Kansas City’s largest suburbs Tuesday when Olathe banned smoking in most enclosed public places, including restaurants and bars.

The City Council voted 6-1 to impose the ban, which will snuff out cigarettes in more than 200 restaurants. But the council exempted private for-profit clubs and fraternal organizations from the ban.

The council is considering a mid-November start date for the ordinance. Establishments that allow smoking will face a $50 fine for the first offense, and the fine will increase for subsequent offenses.

Edward Hayes, president of Big Sky Hospitality LLC, which operates O’Shay’s Sports Pub and Grille, estimated he would lose 30 percent of his revenue as Olathe residents went to neighboring cities to drink.

“It’s unfortunate that a legal activity is going to be restricted,” Hayes said. He also questioned the wisdom of allowing private clubs to allow smoking when other restaurants must ban smoking.

Ken Davis, former mayor of the tiny town of Countryside, has been lobbying Johnson County mayors to ban smoking for a couple of years.

He said approval of the ban was a significant victory and predicted more successes.

“It’s starting to build a momentum,” Davis said.

The only vote against the ordinance was from Councilman John Bacon.

Next to take up an ordinance to ban smoking probably will be Overland Park. A City Council committee is expected to discuss the issue next month after spending almost six months last year studying it.

City Council President Terry Goodman said he plans to advocate a ban with temporary exemptions for restaurants and bars that have invested in smoke-filtering systems within the past two years.

Goodman said he thinks there is “greater interest” in a smoking ban on the Overland Park City Council this year than last.

Seventeen states and 140 cities have laws that require workplaces, restaurants and bars to be smoke-free.

Lawrence started the movement in the region two years ago when it passed a broad ban.

Kansas City later followed with its own smoking ban. But that ban does not apply to bars and restaurants until 85 percent of the region’s population is covered by a ban.

So far, relatively small strides have been made toward that goal. A handful of Johnson County cities — Mission Woods, Roeland Park and Fairway — passed bans, but they have small populations and few restaurants and bars.

Last week, Lee’s Summit banned smoking at most public places. But the City Council exempted a tobacco shop and a handful of taverns that don’t admit anyone under 21 and where food sales make up less than 10 percent of revenue.

Lee’s Summit’s population of 90,000 wouldn’t be included in the calculation that jump-starts Kansas City’s ban because of the exemptions. But those exemptions could be eliminated at the polls in November.

Former Kansas City Council member Jim Rowland plans to mount a petition drive to put a smoking ban on the Kansas City ballot next spring.

Rowland said he never liked the 85 percent trigger in Kansas City’s ordinance. He said it would take too long for that to take effect.

“A lot more people will be dead by then,” he said.

[DJPrato]

All I can say is...Well done, Liberals. It isn't very often that Dems can combine their attacks on Private Business with the erosion of personal freedoms. One of those shining moments where they adopt the worst behaviors of the religious right. So you don't want Republicans telling you what to do with your body? Must be because you want to tell us what we can and can't do to our bodies. I wonder how any of the politicians who pushed this Socialist agenda along would feel if they owned one of the bars or restaurants affected. Maybe they can pass a law that subsidizes the bars and clubs for their losses with tax dollars. May as well make the state ownership of this sector of the local economy complete. Castro could vacation here.

Please don't mistake my blinding anger for that of a jilted smoker. I don't smoke and find the habit quite disgusting. It's just when I see government overstepping it's bounds it just sets me off. And they don't even try to hide the fact that they're making exemptions for the highest bidders. KC's ban EXCLUDES casinos.

Maybe I'm just being silly. So glad I have have a political party to make all the descisions for stupid people like me who don't know any better. Maybe I'll take up smoking to calm my nerves.

[Randy J.]

I am a firm believer that everyone should be able to do whatever they want to do as long as they are not hurting someone else. But when you smoke in a public place, you are hurting other people so I am all for smoking bans. I have had to leave bars so many times because my eyes hurt so bad that I cant even see or enjoy myself. How is that fair to people that dont smoke? I just dont see how everyone cant step outside to smoke. Hell, I know smokers that wont even smoke in their own homes. But I do think the ban needs to be across the board so that places arent losing business because other places get to allow it.

[Jennie]

^^^I completely agree.

[mike p]

Althought I agree with this I think that making all bars and clubs is wrong.
Build a non-smoking bar/club.

[Kourtney]

WHOO HOO!

WHen I lived in Lawrence I was so glad when they did this. I can't wait for KC to catch up.

I am sick of having to go outside to get some fresh air when I am out.

Plus, I hate coming home smelling like an ash tray.

[Jennie]

Plus, I hate coming home smelling like an ash tray.

.

[aaron]

I am a firm believer that everyone should be able to do whatever they want to do as long as they are not hurting someone else. But when you smoke in a public place, you are hurting other people so I am all for smoking bans. I have had to leave bars so many times because my eyes hurt so bad that I cant even see or enjoy myself. How is that fair to people that dont smoke? I just dont see how everyone cant step outside to smoke. Hell, I know smokers that wont even smoke in their own homes. But I do think the ban needs to be across the board so that places arent losing business because other places get to allow it.
right on! i love the ban in lawrence, as do my lungs :)
i do think it sucks they are making exemptions for certain places though, playing favorites isn't cool (aka, not :cool: )

[JustJohn]

You can't smoke anywhere in Seattle. Which I am glad for. I hate trying to dance in smokey ass clubs and bars.

But in Washington....you can't even drink in the DJ Booth. Thats fuckin wierd

Thats awesome that they are finally gooing ahead with the ban there

[DJPrato]

There are two issues. One has to do with government overstepping it's bounds to ban a legal product. The other has to do with whether or not that product should be legal in the first place.

God knows the government is getting a total pass on cigarettes being legal. It's so sexy to villify the Tabacco companies for making a legal product. Meanwhile FDA, the tax-funded government body who's job it is to decide what is and isn't safe for the US, allows cigarettes to remain legal. All while telling us they have more evidence to support the claim that cigarettes kill than any other substance they've studied in the history of that organization. Someone gets a headache from ephedrine... off the market. Pot doesn't jive with some ethical beliefs... controlled substance. Some fantastic medical drugs cause a rare side effect on a a fraction of the patients taking it... off the market (screw the people who's lives it was improving.) But cigarettes? The product they've spent the most money on studying. The product who's toxicity they yell the loudest about? Lets keep it legal and extort money from the companies who make it. Instead of making it illegal and saving lives, they take a cut and use part of it to run slick "truth" campaign ads to attack the companies who make it. To actually force these companies to pay for ads that personally attack them. "But the tabacco companies have such powerful lobbists. That's how it stays legal." I hear this response the most. I can name another lobby group that dwarfs cigarette companies; Pharmaceuticals. And drugs of incalculable medical importance are yanked off the market every day with far less study of their safety. Smoking kills? The FDA has the power to take the product off the market. To anyone who doubts the power of advertising, let them look at the truth campaign. It's distracted 2 generations from the the fact that the government has traded hundreds of thousands of American lives for a fourtune in blood money to feed bigger government while claiming that they're doing what's best for the good of the people. All while framing tabacco companies as the villans for making a legal product. This is the anthem of big government. And the biggest fraud our government has ever perpetrated on it's citizens.

[Nick Steady]

I am a firm believer that everyone should be able to do whatever they want to do as long as they are not hurting someone else. But when you smoke in a public place, you are hurting other people so I am all for smoking bans. I have had to leave bars so many times because my eyes hurt so bad that I cant even see or enjoy myself. How is that fair to people that dont smoke? I just dont see how everyone cant step outside to smoke. Hell, I know smokers that wont even smoke in their own homes. But I do think the ban needs to be across the board so that places arent losing business because other places get to allow it.

I think that bars and clubs should be exempt from the law. If you're out at a bar drinking, then you obviously don't care too much about your health as you slug back your beer or $2 well special. You said when it got to be too much for you, then you left the bar. You had the freedom to make that choice. I don't care for government making choices for me. It has also been proven that smoking bans hurt businesses like bars and nightclubs. Where is the fairness in that? If a bar owner wants to make his establishment non-smoking, then that's his choice, but there is nothing fair about the government stepping in and telling him/her how to run their business. If it's such an issue, they might as well just make cigarettes illegal...oh wait, they'll never do that, because cigarettes generate an assload of tax revenue and tobacco lobbyists are in the back pocket of almost every pollitician in Washington. Something stinks, and it isn't my cigarette.

[Randy J.]

^^^You make a good point but the problem is, I shouldnt have to leave the bar. I dont see why it is so difficult to step outside to smoke. If ALL bars/clubs had smoking bans then it wouldnt effect their business because people wouldnt have an alternative choose of entertainment other than staying home.

The other way to do this is force bars/clubs to have better air circulation and ventilation. Some bars in the city can have every person smoking and it not bother anyone but other places such as The Empire Room have no circulation and if just a handful of people are smoking it is miserable in there. That is why I will never step foot in that club again.

I dont really go out anymore but it would be really nice to be able to go out without having to waste money on a cover charge then have to leave after 20 minutes because I cant even see.

[DJPrato]

Most bars have so much put into good air circulation to keep the place from becoming too hot when the room fills up that smoke isn't a problem. I was in the Grand Emporium and it felt like a minor wind tunnel at the beginning of the night in preparation for the crowd.

[Randy J.]

Something that really needs to be banned is smoke machines, I think they cause a lot of the problems with the eyes. I hate those fucking things.

[aaron]

Something that really needs to be banned is smoke machines, I think they cause a lot of the problems with the eyes. I hate those fucking things.

amen again:!:

[Monkey]

Something that really needs to be banned is smoke machines, I think they cause a lot of the problems with the eyes. I hate those fucking things.

I'll second that! I cant tell you how many times I got smoke in my face from those before I started paying attention to where they are. As soon as they go off, I have to stop dancing because I cant see or breathe. ugh!

[Randy J.]

I really dont get the appeal of having smoke/fog everywhere. I know it makes the lights look cool but that really isnt worth it.

[[ragga]SCUM]

In Cali they are trying to make it so that if you're out on the street smoking and it "offends" someone then you, the smoker, are breaking "the law".

On a related topic... Tuesdays are now "Blue Day's". Anyone caught not wearing all blue will be charged with federal offence and subject to arrest and seizure of all property and withheld until the government sees fit. Also, those not worshiping Christ on a dialy basis are now concidered "Terrorists". We encourage all Citizens to report any un-Christ-like activity to your local police or federal government agency.

Thank you.

[Cyrus Ramsey]

lol. smokes machines are not harmful to your health. Unless of course you have asthma, but then again if your asthma is that bad you prob shouldnt be out in a smokey club in the first place.

And Felixx, your argument about the smokers stepping outside is completly reversable. Why should we have to step outside? Why cant you just step outside to get some freash air?

[[ragga]SCUM]

lol. smokes machines are not harmful to your health. Unless of course you have asthma, but then again if your asthma is that bad you prob shouldnt be out in a smokey club in the first place.

And Felixx, your argument about the smokers stepping outside is completly reversable. Why should we have to step outside? Why cant you just step outside to get some freash air?

Why can't people quit being pussies and just deal with it? If they don't like smoke, booze, or loud music then perhaps they should go to church on saturday night instead of the local meat market.

[Jennie]

I fail to see what disliking smoking has to do with church.

[Randy J.]

lol. smokes machines are not harmful to your health. Unless of course you have asthma, but then again if your asthma is that bad you prob shouldnt be out in a smokey club in the first place.

And Felixx, your argument about the smokers stepping outside is completly reversable. Why should we have to step outside? Why cant you just step outside to get some freash air?

Smoke machines may not be harmful to my health in the long term but for the short term it makes my eyes burn and makes it where I cannot see. That cannot be good for my eyes for the short period of time.

You make a good point but the smoker is the one engaging in the activity that is harming others health.

A persons rights end where another persons begins. A person should have the right to stand, dance, and do whatever they want at a club without their eyes burning and their lungs being filled with cancer causing smoke. Should they not?

[[ragga]SCUM]

I fail to see what disliking smoking has to do with church.


it's a bar. people smoke and drink. now people are just allowed to drink... soon that will be gone too. If being at a bar offends people then perhaps they should try a more wholesome atmosphere such as a church or a nursing home or a Rated G movie.

[Randy J.]

Being at a bar doesnt offend me. Not being able to see is what offends me, how can does that not make sense?

[Jack Masta Janda]

I have not read everyone comments... but I think that is great! Iwill be able to ween myself better from smoking. Smelling the smoke is the bar is my weak point.

[[ragga]SCUM]

Being at a bar doesnt offend me. Not being able to see is what offends me, how can does that not make sense?


that's like saying "well, I saw the sharks in the water. Then i got in and more showed up. Then one bit me. So now I want to contact my legislator to have the sharks removed from all of the water."

[phocas]

i think this is really good to see and a step in the right direction!

prato... i think you're a little off on this one... popular opinion rules the day on things like this ... smokers are now a minority and are very subject to the whims of the majority...

kourtney ... KC will catch up one day... but our fair city has to wait for everyone else to prove that it really does NOT impact the restaurant / bar / club economy before they do anything... even though it has has already been proven in the biggest metropolis of the country (NYC) and one of the closest cities to KC that is notorious for being a bar/club/party town (Lawrence).

[Randy J.]

that's like saying "well, I saw the sharks in the water. Then i got in and more showed up. Then one bit me. So now I want to contact my legislator to have the sharks removed from all of the water."


Mike, I dont understand how that comparison is even the same. Fact is that the act of smoking jeopardizes other people's health and well-being. Are you saying that only smokers should be able to go to bars?

I know lots of smokers that do not smoke inside, they simply step outside. My dad refuses to smoke in a restaurant, his house, and other people's homes even if they allow it because he believes it jeopardizes other's health. He ALWAYS goes outside. I know other smokers that are the same way.

[phocas]

My dad refuses to smoke in a restaurant, his house, and other people's homes even if they allow it because he believes it jeopardizes other's health. He ALWAYS goes outside. I know other smokers that are the same way.

indeed... i'm much same way... it's simply a matter of respect

[[ragga]SCUM]

Mike, I dont understand how that comparison is even the same. Fact is that the act of smoking jeopardizes other people's health and well-being. Are you saying that only smokers should be able to go to bars?

I know lots of smokers that do not smoke inside, they simply step outside. My dad refuses to smoke in a restaurant, his house, and other people's homes even if they allow it because he believes it jeopardizes other's health. He ALWAYS goes outside. I know other smokers that are the same way.

Yeah I guess so. I don't smoke anymore so I honestly don't care. I actually prefer the smoking not be done at bars or clubs anymore however when you have 50 - 150 people standing outside smoking all night it makes the venue/club/what have you look kind of trashy and limits dancers on the floor. While I agree with the law I also agree it's a form a segregation. If smoking is truly bad for you then they should just stop selling them.

But to get at your first question... sharks jeopardize other peoples health too :P
So do Snakes on a Plane :P

[MCYD]

Snakes On A Plane!!!!

[Bucho]

a.) when someone owns a business, the only reason the gov't should have to step is in when it deals with the finances or regulations of the product being offered (i.e, liquor, smokes, food preparation, etc.). if a bar owner wants to allow smoking in his/her bar, that should be their choice. they own the bar and are responsible for what happens inside it.

b.) YOU make the choice as to where you spend your time. don't like the bars where smoking is allowed? don't fuckin go there.

c.) when i quit smoking for a significant time, i still went to the bars where smoking was allowed. did i complain? no. why? because that's what people do at bars.

suck it up. i'm with prato on this one. gov't is overreaching itself.

what if the next step was allowing people only 3 drinks per 5 hours at a club? how up in arms would you all be about that? it amounts to the same thing.

[DjNyx]

God I hate this country.

And I moved out of lee's summit, knowing they were doing the ban, into a city that's following up!!! damnit!!!

I'm with Bucho. I think the owners of THIER OWN ESTABLISHMENT(s) should be able to make their own rules. If they say it's ok for people to smoke inside, so be it.

No smoking in bars and clubs, absolutely rediculous. It will draw people away. When you're drunk and want to smoke, it's too far of a walk to go outside. If you ask me, having smokers walk outside when drunk is more of a hastle and will probably hurt more people with all the stumbling and falling over other people because they can't see straight :s

I understand the no smoking in homes. Not many people smoke in their own houses. stepping out into the garage is perfectly fine. One of the problems of going outside is the weather conditions aren't always that great. It's fine in the garage. However, bars/clubs/etc. don't really have a "garage" available.

and everyone KNOWS it hurts business. That's why they refuse to force the ban on the casinos......

[The Spanish Armada]

I am a firm believer that everyone should be able to do whatever they want to do as long as they are not hurting someone else. But when you smoke in a public place, you are hurting other people so I am all for smoking bans. I have had to leave bars so many times because my eyes hurt so bad that I cant even see or enjoy myself. How is that fair to people that dont smoke? I just dont see how everyone cant step outside to smoke. Hell, I know smokers that wont even smoke in their own homes. But I do think the ban needs to be across the board so that places arent losing business because other places get to allow it.


It wouldn't be that hard to step outside and enjoy my smoke if I could take my drink with me!!! We all need to take a chapter from Florida so that we can drink outside the Bar.

[Bucho]

and everyone KNOWS it hurts business. That's why they refuse to force the ban on the casinos......


sorry kid.


worst.
argument.
ever.

it hasn't hurt lawrence businesses one iota. much like it won't really hurt other businesses when it happens in other, larger, non-college towns. smokers will still go out to bars, but they'll smoke outside. non-smokers will, more than likely, frequent those places more often. especially if they're the kind of people that complain when they can smell smoke from the complete opposite side of the bar.

[DjNyx]

really? haven't heard that one yet... then again, i never treck out to lawrence