NORFOLK
After an hour of debate during which the City Council failed to reach a consensus, members set aside a future meeting to decide whether to ban smoking in restaurants.
Tuesday's discussion revealed wide differences on the issue members hope to resolve March 3.
Council members expressed fear the city would be sued if the prohibition is implemented on March 31 as scheduled.
City Attorney Bernard Pishko said the city charter authorizes the power to ban smoking, but said he can't guarantee the city would win if sued.
In October, Norfolk passed an ordinance to prohibit smoking in restaurants. At the same time, Virginia Beach and other cities asked the General Assembly for permission to do the same. The Assembly appears unlikely to agree.
That would make Norfolk the first Virginia locality to ban smoking. Mayor Paul Fraim said if the city is going to be the first, it must make sure it passes a legally defensible ordinance.
"We want to do something we know is enforceable, not just make a statement," he said.
Councilman Don Williams proposed an amendment that would allow restaurants to file for applications to allow smoking, providing they put signs on their doors telling patrons that smoking is allowed.
That would "gut" the ordinance, Councilwoman Theresa Whibley said.
Vice Mayor Anthony L. Burfoot urged an exception for "cigar bars" and the creation of a program similar to one in the District of Columbia, where restaurants that show a ban has hurt business can allow smoking.
Both proposals drew mixed support and, at times, a majority of the council seemed inclined to postpone the prohibition indefinitely.
That frustrated Whibley, a physician who advocates no smoking for health reasons.
"I'm very disappointed that our council has forgotten the needs of our citizens and the desires of our citizens," she said.
Harry Minium, (757) 446-2371, harry.minium@pilotonline.com
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Makes you wonder
Why a nice place like Granby North who didn't allow smoking wasn't booming with business by all those people who want a smoke free enviroment. To compete with other restaurant/bars, they had to start allowing smoking. Looks like non-smokers, just want to complain for complaining sake instead of going to places where smoking isn't allowed.
Granby North
I used to go to Granby North also. Their smoking starts at 4pm. Why restrict it at all? I agree, the place smells terrible. The food used to be really good, but with the smokey smell, it's hard to tell now. Even though they used to be non-smoking, they never promoted that fact. That is probably why they were struggling. I know quite a few people that don't go there anymore because of the smoking. Thank goodness for Razzo, Capt. Groovy's and the Surf Rider.
Norfolk City Council wimps out again.
Granby North
I used to go to Granby North because it was smoke free. Now that they allow it (even after 9:00) the smell is still there. I don't go anymore. Razzo, Captain Groovy, Sandfiddler Cafe are all smoke free.
MTMSR
Good post. I brought up the same issue (although rather insensitively) in another thread today.
Why would the anti-smokers want to cloud the issue with facts?
jmo
Ocean View Restaurant
Granby North, is a very nice restaurant in Ocean View which since the day it opened it did not allow smoking, until just recnetly. Now, after 9 pm patrons can smoke. Why? Because they could not compete!
LORES, I'm sorry she died, BUT.....
You should have mentioned a few things in your post: Asthma since age 2. Poorly controlled. Four visits to her doctor in the year before her death for flare-ups. Hospital ER trips 2 - 3 times that year. She had prescriptions for drugs to prevent and treat asthma attacks, but was reported to only use them when she was having breathing difficulty. On the evening of her death, she had no inhaler with her. So here we are with a 19 year old with a known chronic condition which she did little if anything to control and it ultimately killed her. She worked there of her own free will, knowing smoking was allowed, didn't take her meds right, and didn't have her inhaler with her. Those all sound like her choices, not the bar owner's.
Let it Go
Finally CC just may be coming to their senses. Quit wasting everyone's time, energy and money and let it go. You can lead a horse to water but ... We are all aware of possible health issues with a lot of things, smoking, eating fatty food, not exercising, hell not brushing your teeth. Do we need the tooth patrol in our bathrooms too? There are a lot more pertinent issues CC needs to be addressing - like the loss of revenue happening to MacArthur Mall and downtown. Do the job you were elected to do and keep the City prosperous. Not littered with cig butts which is what would happen if everyone had to go outside in front of a bar to smoke.
Who's on the Take?
Well, looks like somebody there is being "taken care of" by the Tobacco Industry. Wonder who it could be???
Council members expressed fear
Typical no backbone city council.
smoking in restaurants
I am sure the Chesapeake police department would want everyone to consider how they would feel if a restaurant was full of girl scouts. Perhaps that might change the council's opinion on banning smoking in restaurants.
Perhaps this will help
This article was from just last Friday:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080208/hl_nm/asthma_smoking_dc_1
First paragraph:
"CHICAGO (Reuters) - A woman in her late teens died from an acute asthma attack triggered by secondhand cigarette smoke shortly after arriving at her job as a waitress in a bar in Michigan, researchers reported on Friday. "
Smoking is a Nasy Habit
That is why I do not patronize establishments that allow smoking. Nevertheless, a free society cannot allow its government to dictate whether or not people should be allowed to smoke on private property. That decision must be left to the owner.
Wise decision
Our Council and Mayor need to think long and hard before placing the City in a law suit arena that will increase our tax dollars, because surely they will loose the battle of banning smoking in privately owned business's. I'm actually surprised they are finally looking at reality.