Fighting Smoking Bans in Bars and Restaurants

I thought ASPers might like to read this "how to" article from The
Smokers Club.

Fair winds,
Sailorman Jack

How To Fight
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PUTTING THE PRESSURE ON THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY




Most of the hospitality industry is friendly to smokers. However, based
on the scientific frauds about the "dangers" of secondhand smoke
exposure, local or national laws and ordinances are intruding in the
hospitality industry in order to force it to create an environment
hostile to smokers.
Since the right of the business owner to choose an either smoking or
nonsmoking environment for his place of business is denied by both
anti-tobacco cartel and state (often one and the same), it is important
that smokers do not patronize hospitality establishments where smoking
is forbidden, and that includes restaurants and pubs. It is important
to keep this up: the government is counting on the fact that you will
get tired, and you'll "get used to" the the unreasonable restrictions
imposed on you. You must be prepared to keep the boycott up
indefinitely. The message that economic devastation is the consequence
of smoking bans must be steady, loud, and clear. Smokers have an
immense economic power, more than sufficient to defeat anti-tobacco. It
is time to put that power to work.

It is sad that hospitality industry operators have become the unwilling
battleground between fascism and freedom, and we feel very sorry for
them all. But certainly, they cannot blame us for having started it.


If the hospitality industry in your area is fighting a smoking ban,
actively support it by letter, phone, and in person, and let them know
that you will continue to do so for as long as they will defend your
rights. But they also have to understand that you will be forced to
change your attitude in case of defeat.
If your municipality is close to another municipality that allows
smoking in restaurants and pubs, go where you can smoke even if it
means walking or driving.
If the local or state government forbids smoking in hospitality
outlets, refrain from using the hospitality industry as much as
possible. You will be surprised how much money you will save by cooking
your own food, or, in emergency, buying it from a take-out and
consuming it at home. By the same token, a six-pack consumed at home
with friends while watching the game is surprisingly much more
enjoyable than in a pub with noise, confusion, and smoking prohibition
to boot. And nothing beats an elegant dinner party that starts off with
cocktails, cigarettes, and a selection of everyone's favorite music on
the stereo. Let's use smoking prohibition as an excuse to revive the
pleasures of private social life that are too often neglected in our
busy culture. Turn your home into an occasional "smoke-easy" and
encourage your friends to return the favor! How about a
"Prohibition-era" theme party...?
Also, remember that fewer sales for the hospitality industry means less
tax revenue for the government that is infringing on your rights, and
on the rights of the hospitality industry. If it feels the effects of
this loss, the state will be forced to raise other taxes. This will
contribute to a decrease in the popularity of the sitting government,
and politicians are very sensitive to that.


If an establishment has decided to ignore the totalitarian anti-smoking
laws, and it accommodates smokers, let us remember that it takes
courage to do so. Absurd penalties are often imposed on operators for
this kind of "offense" -- as absurd and unfair as the anti-smoking laws
themselves. Praise the owner(s), keep patronizing the local, refer it
to your smoking friends. If the owner is hit by the health police, it
would be a good idea to promote the idea of pooling the money for the
fine with other smoking patrons as a sign of appreciation for the
establishment's courage to stand up for freedom.
In areas where smoking bans are enforced, practicing and encouraging
civil disobedience is essential.


For those who have some time available, some active action would not
hurt. For example, here is a tested method that puts the pressure on.
Call a restaurant, hotel, pub, etc. that you know does not allow
smoking. Say that you have a large party of people, and that their
establishment has been chosen. Discuss the details. Last request: "we
want the smoking section, please." At the negative answer, just tell
them to forget the whole thing. If they say that they cannot oblige
because of municipal ordinance or state law, then ask if they are
willing to accommodate you, anyway. The answer will be no, especially
on the phone, for fear of a fishing expedition by the anti-tobacco
cartel. Thus, "no deal, thanks."
This kind of psychological pressure, while it may not yield any
immediate result, will keep reminding the operators of the size of the
business lost to the cartel's prevarication, and that will turn into
political pressure at the first opportunity.
Finally, in cases where you are are properly accommodated as a smoker,
tip well and make it clear that you have done so because you were
welcomed as a smoking customer.

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