It was a cool 48ºF Wednesday morning as Boomer & I made our
Carl & Fred were already at their usual places at the counter and Josef was hovering near the cash register with a carafe of freshly brewed organic and shade-grown, fair-trade, Sumatran-blend coffee, to fill our Danger Bay Collectible Mugs with that elixir of the gods (as you will readily see in the graphic above—there is a gap of a couple of counter stools between Boomer & I. Those are reserved for you, so join us and speak your mind).
As is always the case when we are gathered at the café, we talked “of many things – of shoes – and ships – and sealing-wax…” (with apologies to the estate of Lewis Carroll). Anyway, the discussion came around to the Minnesota statewide workplace smoking ban that recently went into effect.
“Ya know, guys,” Boomer said, “with all the discussion of how the ban would affect bars & restaurants, it was lost on me that it would have an impact on all workplaces.”
“I guess on some level,” Fred, looking up from his morning paper, offered, “I knew that, but with all the opposition coming from the bar-owners who are blaming our city council member Dave Thune for this thing…”
“…It sort of became a bar and restaurant issue,” Carl rumbled, finishing Fred’s thought, “but Thune had little to do with the bipartisan bill the governor signed.”
“That’s true, but Thune gets the blame anyway. Yesterday, I stopped at my favorite body shop with a part delivery,” Boomer continued, “and the owner and his two employees “Bodyman” and “Painter Guy” were outside on break. Usually when on break, they would sit just inside the roll-up door to the shop.”
“So, they were outside because of the new law,” I interjected, “no big deal.”
“It was for them,” Boomer said, “they viewed it as an intrusion on their ‘personal rights,’ and they put the blame on Thune. Mr. & Mrs. Owner are non-smokers, but their two long-time employees both smoke.”
“As do you, Pariah,” Carl boomed, smiling.
“Sometimes I feel that way Carl,” Boomer smiled back, “but I also feel that my rights end where another’s begin. It’s legal for me to smoke, but it’s your right not to inhale my smoke. These guys were angry, their perception being that their rights had yet again been stomped on by the government.”
“Did you set’em straight?” Fred asked, knowing full well what Boomer’s answer would be.
“I represent Saturn when I am there,” he answered, “I won’t argue with a customer. But you know, these guys seldom concern themselves with the rights of others.”
“What do you mean?” Carl asked.
“They view the world strictly from their own perspective,” Boomer answered, “They are smart, but don’t view things beyond their world. They see the world in stereotypes, and as such become stereotypical themselves.”
“Ahh, they are the victims kind of people.” Carl rumbled.
“I guess,” Boomer sighed, “but still, in a one-on-one situation they treat everyone well—and they do fine bodywork.”
It’s not safe to smoke in a body shop anyway (my opinion). The ban of cigarrete smoking in Miami was a big deal when it happened and restaurant and bar owners thought they would loose busines….guess what? no they didn’t and they haven’t. Smokers have gotten acostumed to the rules.
I don’t let me mom smoke inside my house – I guess that trained her a bit when the law was finally passed; and when we do go out to dinner, we can eat the whole meal without inhaling her smoke.
Ines: You are probably correct about smoking in a body shop – at least in the paint booth. I’m sure some of the smaller Mom-n-Pop neighborhood bars will suffer – even close – and that’s unfortunate. Many are building outdoor smoking areas; but in Minnesota that is problematic at best.
For years, I sat in the non-smoking section of restaurants, and for the past 40 years, have not smoked in my home and I don’t go to bars (except “swigs!” of course).
Like Boomer, I am a supporter of the ban BECAUSE of the health impact on others.
Hey guys, I’ve been on the local blogs – boy they’ve got it in for Dave! He may have a tough re-election bid next month!
Carl
Ines: I can only echo what Jay wrote. Thanks for your comment!
Carl: Yes, I’ve read them as well. Keep in mind, most of these people don’t live in our Ward, or even St. Paul.
Boomer
We are in the middle of a state wide smoking ban. So far not too bad… I smoked for a longggg time and quit about 4 yrs ago. I am all for it…can’t stand the smell of stagnant smoke anymore. I do believe smokers should have a climate control area for their vise…not just thrown outside under the elements. The mom and pop places will find there is less maintenance because of the smoking ban…cigarette smoke and butts can be messy.
Bob: A climate controlled converted bus shelter is a possibility I’ve heard discussed. Smokers will grumble, and they will adapt.
Jay
We have had a smoking ban in the City of Columbus and most of the Central Ohio suburbs for a couple of years. A statewide ban was put into place last November. The state had an election last November and smoking im work places was outlawed by the passage of one of two issues on the ballot. The issue that lost, was backed by bars and paid for by the tobacco lobby.
The local news was able to find people to interview on TV in our market (remember we have been non smoking for a couple of years) who were willing to make statements about how their rights were being trampled on by the government with the new law. I think they have the same perspective issue as Boomer’s customer’s employees do. Building patios was big business here when our ban went into effect. I do feel for some of the urban restaurants and bars that did not have that as an option because there is no parking lot, the sidewalk is not deep. It was easier in less urban areas. Our weather is a bit milder than yours!!!
Thanks for reminding me about your blog Jay. I have not been here for a long time.
Maureen: You are ALWAYS welcome here – as are your opinions!
Jay
We had a local smoking ban and I was quite enjoying it. Then someone fought it and got it overturned. Now it’s up to individual restaurants. As we haven’t learned yet which are doing it and which aren’t … we usually drive over to the next county and eat there. Which means we will usually also shop there, and maybe fill up the gas tank. Makes me wonder how many families there are like mine, and whether we’ll just enjoy going the other places and keep doing it?
Sarah, That’s unfortunate that you have to go to the next county to eat out. I think this will spread, slowly at first, nation-wide. It’s a HEALTH issue not a personal rights issue.
Boomer
It was SO NICE while it lasted. I think we’ll get it back, but it will be harder to win again.
Good luck!
Wow, no smoking in bars? I can see the workplace, garages, offices etc.. but no smoking in bars? Here you can’t smoke in a indoor restaurant, but if they have a outside deck you can smoke outside and in bars.
Lysa: A bar worker inhales over the course of an 8 hour shift equal to smoking several packs a day. It’s a workplace health issue. Neighbor Wisconsin is working on similar legislation.