THE SMOKING BAN

In the mid 1960’s I was a court reporter in NJ in the workmen’s compensation division. I remember the lawyers and judges’ reaction to the Surgeon General’s printing on all cigarettes that smoking could be hazardous to your health. Their interpretation to that was that smoking causes cancer. Some twenty years later I was a board of director on the New Jersey Restaurant Association. Most of my time was working with the Drunk Driving Task Force of Monmouth County. I represented the Restaurant Association for Monmouth County and sometimes as a spokesperson state wide as the DWI rules and regulations were being developed.

It was during this time that our association was also fighting the proposed smoking ban in all bars and taverns. The feeling was at that time, as it is today, was that it would hurt our businesses. Even though I was a non-smoker I testified before a number of joint committees not to pass that legislation. That was about 20 years ago and today I wish I had never testified against that legislation. Knowing what I know today I would have testified for it and perhaps I would not have had to deal with the cancer I suffered through over the past year.

I don’t know for sure what caused the throat cancer I had, stress, genetics, the party years in the 1980’s, the air in NJ or second hand smoke. I have to give the second hand smoke I have been breathing in my bar for the last 36 years a good deal of credit for it. On any given night in any bar or restaurant where smoking is permitted there is a great deal of smoke in the air. Even with fans, smoke eaters, and exhaust systems the smoke remains.

In all professional building people have to go outside to smoke. This includes most major corporations, hospitals and public utility companies. It protects the workers that don’t smoke. It has been argued that the bars and taverns are the last place for smokers to relax and smoke inside while eating and drinking. The problem is that it is not fair to those who want to dine without smoke. It is also not fair for the bartenders, wait staff, busboys and owners who have to work in that environment.

Some argue that it is unconstitutional to be told where someone could smoke. Many of us baby boomers grew up in enclosed homes of heavy smoking parents. I would like to ask the parents, past or present, of the thousands of baby boomers who have had cancer or died from the second hand smoke how they feel about that statement today.

It is time our industry in New Jersey catches up with the rest of the world in protecting our workers and patrons. Even in Ireland the pubs patrons take their drinks and smoke outside. When this legislation passes in NJ, and it will, our industry will join the 21st century regarding smoking in public places. For me at Danny’s I will have a comfortable smoking tent outside with tables and chairs for those customers that wish to smoke.