Senate passes smoking ban; casino floors but not restos exempt

**bailey** · December-16-09, 09:22 AM

I am motivated now to reclaim my basement from years of accumulated stuff. A finished basement with wet bar, fridge, pool table and air filtration exists. Think of the money I'll save. As for restaurants, no problem, I like my own cooking better.

Ok, I'm curious... why, if smoke is such an inconsequential thing to anyone one but preachy busy bodies, would an avowed smoker such as yourself install an air filtration system in your own basement which has the sole purpose of providing you a place to smoke and drink unmolested?

**Fury13** · December-16-09, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by sumas

Last time I looked this is a forum about Detroit. Don't give two F***'S about other cities.

I tried to give a nice perspective to a local pub who takes in and embrasses lost souls. Apparently I must be one of those, since I find the venue and old style class charming.

Frankly, your venom, Fury, is tres boring. What bugs you most...the fact that you can't inflict your will on the people or there are nice places who care for their clients?

Look at our screen names Sumas which is non confrontational or Fury. Give it a break, we live in a gritty city. Stupid laws do affect business owners.

I go back to my mantra which is, it would be nice if legistlatures stuck to real business and not try to control my life or choices but enact laws over vigilante type activity.

I didn't think my post was venomous, Sumas. I certainly don't believe I singling you out for vitriol. I was simply explaining that "mom-and-pop" bars in other cities have dealt with this kind of law, are complying with it, and are doing good business. The smokers are getting their smoke breaks outside and it is less of a big deal than everyone is making it out to be.

Incidentally, my handle -- "Fury" -- refers to a CAR that I particularly like. Plymouth, a now-retired brand once manufactured by Chrysler, made it -- the Plymouth Fury -- get it? My handle refers to a CAR and that's all. Don't read into it. I've been on this forum about 10 years through its various changes, and my handle has remained the same.

As for "old-style" class, I don't see how that includes cigarette smoke. Cigarettes and the smoke that emanates from them are classy now?

Gritty, yeah. Detroit is gritty, but so are other cities in other states -- which have adjusted to their smoking bans just fine [[that was my only reason for mentioning Chicago... I could have just as easily said Philadelphia). We in Detroit do not corner the market on grittiness. We're not that damn unique.

Sorry you took my post as a personal insult. It wasn't meant that way. You do sound like a considerate smoker. But many smokers are not considerate, and I feel that this law has been a long time in coming. I will finally be able to go into bars [[and play music with my band in bars) without dealing with the unpleasantness that is cigar/cigarette smoke. Obviously the majority of the population feels as I do.

**pffft** · December-16-09, 12:28 PM

I too know "considerate smokers" who go out of their way to keep their smoke out of my face. The problem is, in an enclosed space, it becomes a moot point after a while, everybody in that small room is breathing in the smoke, whether they choose to or not. Plus, if a smoker is holding the cigarette away from their table, it's in somebody else's face [[usually mine).
How many times have I been sitting at a table with other nonsmokers, when the smoker at the next table has extended her arm [[usually yes it's a woman) as far out as she can, so the smoke wends its way over our table, not hers. Thanks!
p.s. If you're smoking, why would you need a filtration system in your basement? Isn't the point to inhale the smoke into your lungs?

**stromberg2** · December-16-09, 02:36 PM

Sumas, If I may ask, what is the name of that dive bar you mentioned? I'd like to check it out.

Stromberg2

**econ expat** · December-16-09, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by stromberg2

Sumas, If I may ask, what is the name of that dive bar you mentioned? I'd like to check it out.

Stromberg2

Shhhh Sumas, better to PM the name of the bar-
There may be someone reading this thread that will make it a mission to get the smokers in there 'busted' next year.

Sure, police are overwhelmed with other crimes.
But someone might know just who to call.

**sumas** · December-17-09, 05:54 AM

Sorry Fury, I did not mean to lash out at you. My life is conflicted at the moment and my skin feels real thin.

Of course I remember the Plymouth Fury. It was the only really hot car my dad ever owned. It was a real beauty, a black on black convertible. Bucket leather seats. The only thing it missed was being a stick shift but at least the column was on the floor between the front seats. He sold it when I was nine, my older sister who was sixteen kept stealing it.

I will do my best to PM info on my favorite bar and yes I think it's classy in an old fashioned way. Beers are a buck and mixed drinks $2. If you are real particular about your booze $2.50. It is a nice mix of urban/suburban people. All very nice!

The owner, a smoker, well into his eighties was a pitcher for the Tigers until the second world war cut his career short.

**sumas** · December-17-09, 06:14 AM

Sorry, forgot to mention, the place does have an outback of sorts.with a nice view of water. I have offered in the past to give him a landscaped patio at cost but at the prices charged I doubt he can afford it.

I envision a slag based peagravel patio with a cement table, umbrella and chairs, a couple of cement benches and a simple half moon flower bed comprised of Double Knock Out roses. Cost for all that $750. I would much rather be outside myself but not in Michigan winters.

**Detroitnerd** · December-17-09, 10:10 AM

I do think it would be nice if there were different classes of bars, ones that allowed smoking and others that didn't. The one-size-fits-all solution to problems does obstruct reasonable personal liberty in this case.

**jcole** · December-17-09, 10:44 AM

Tobacco is a controlled substance in that you have laws regulating its sale and usage the same as alcohol. Like alcohol, you can't purchase or use tobacco under a certain age or at certain times. If alcohol can be banned in certain establishments, why not tobacco? No one is saying you can't smoke anymore as in prohibition denying drinking; the FDA is just regulating the sale and consumption. From what I've read of the law, the establishments won't be fined, the smoker will, but if an establishment is reported for numerous violations, the Health Department will be called and the establishment will be treated as if it is in violation of the food codes. Too many violations and they will be shut down.

**Detroitnerd** · December-17-09, 11:06 AM

It would be nice if I could go to, say, a class-C bar and smoke. And people who don't want to be near smoke would be free to not patronize or work at a class-C bar.

**bailey** · December-17-09, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by Detroitnerd

It would be nice if I could go to, say, a class-C bar and smoke. And people who don't want to be near smoke would be free to not patronize or work at a class-C bar.

You can. they're called Cigar Bars. There is one on Mack in detroit near St.Johns called Robustos. I'm sure there are more, but that is one I know of off the top of my head.

**Detroitnerd** · December-17-09, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by bailey

You can. they're called Cigar Bars. There is one on Mack in detroit near St.Johns called Robustos. I'm sure there are more, but that is one I know of off the top of my head.

There are no cigar bars near my house, though. However, I imagine more than one bar in Hamtramck, near where I stay, could qualify for a more open, albeit fictional, class-C license.

**stromberg2** · December-17-09, 02:19 PM

Well, I certainly don't want to bust anyone for smoking, I smoke myself. Just wanted to have a beer at someplace different. Sumas, PM me if you can.

Stromberg2

**milesdriven** · December-18-09, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by Detroitnerd

I do think it would be nice if there were different classes of bars, ones that allowed smoking and others that didn't. The one-size-fits-all solution to problems does obstruct reasonable personal liberty in this case.

Well put, and to remedy the health concerns for employees of smoking bars, enact a ventilation/filtration code.

**TJC** · January-10-11, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by Gambling Man

Atlantic City repealed its ban.

.....the Casinos still lost!! They are only allowed to have 25% of the casino floor "smoking". Which is about what the casinos in Detroit have designated "non-smoking". By the way, if your not "playing", you can't just go hang out in that area and smoke. I go to Atantic City, and as far as I'm concerned, the way its set up, it makes customers way more irritated. Total ban or nothing, its easier to enforce that way!!!!