Ways around anti-smoking laws

[Scud]

I know there has to be ways around the laws, but can't find anything so if someone knows, please share. A friend's neighbor owns a bar in Illinois that he made a "club" and that people had to become members for $.50 and sign-up on a membership list. He's hoping to be able to offer a place to smoke after the first of the year, but is dealing with his lawyers to make sure he won't have his ass in a ringer.

[Scud]

As members, everyone gets a membership card and new people have to "sign-up", have their $.50 added to their first drink or food order, and they also get a card. He does have an area for non-smokers in the bar and booths and has a great ventilation system, so even non-smokers aren't too turned off.

[Cigarmark]

This was tried in Ohio and the State said no way and huge fines were levied. Many of our bars have closed in Toledo, which borders Mich. which has no smoking ban as of yet. Its funny to cross the border and see signs at bars and restaurants saying "Smokers Welcome". This too will probably change as Mich catches up and bans smoking.

[cricky101]

I'm pretty sure in Minnesota the ban approved in October covers 'clubs' in the sense of a VFW or American Legion club.

[Wang Lung]

Kalifornia's ban is based on employee protection, as opposed to the "child protection" angle some States have used.

Consequently, owner operated businesses and volunteer workers are exempt. e.g., bingo halls, run by volunteers, are exempt and can allow smoking if they choose. The hall I volunteer at to support our swim team has a smoking area. Unfortunately, cigars and pipes are not welcome. And the pool hall down the street from me is owner operated, and smoking is allowed. Cigars are welcome there.

[DriftyGypsy]

In New Jersey the only way a private club can get by is if there is no outside help, this includes any maintenance workers like plumbers etc. Everything has to be done and maintained by the membership.

[DriftyGypsy]

In New Jersey the only way a private club can get by is if there is no outside help, this includes any delivery and maintenance workers like plumbers etc. Everything has to be done and maintained by the membership.

[SUOrangeGuy]

The local moose lodge in my home town has a two-roomed bar. One side has a waiver the other doesn't. They also have an all volunteer staff (all staff are also moose members).

[Razorhog]

Originally Posted by SUOrangeGuy

The local moose lodge in my home town has a two-roomed bar. One side has a waiver the other doesn't. They also have an all volunteer staff (all staff are also moose members).

Very interesting.

[stig]

In CT private clubs are exempt because they are "Private" and not open to all of the public. The Irish American Club, Italian American Club, Polish Club, American Legion etc.... all still allow smoking because the law doesn't cover them. The casinos are also exempt because they are on Indian Reservations, however the restaraunts inside that are not run, at least in part by the Indian Nation do have to follow the laws.


Most full nude bars ni the area have smoking as well because there is no food or alcohol, just soda. Or................at least tht's what I've been told.

[Jugomugo]

Our city has passed a city-wide ban. You pretty much can't smoke anywhere.

Now, I don't know if it is an exemption, or if they are just snubbing their nose, but my local B&M has people smoking cigars and pipes all the time when I'm in there.

Just the other day there was a group of older guys playing euchre.

[BarneyBandMan]

Good luck with that. I don't see it working because it will probably be deemed as violating the "spirit" or "intent" of the law

[Hammerhead]

Originally Posted by Scud

I know there has to be ways around the laws, but can't find anything so if someone knows, please share.

Organize a group of volunteers, target even just one legislator who's vulnerable (or not) and have those volunteers proactively work to get votes against him or her, and vote them out of office. Publish the results in every area newspaper, and then proceed to threaten other legistlators with the same action if they do not repeal the laws and allow private commerce to do what it does best - respond to market demands without draconian government intervention.

[intrudahridah]

Here in Tennessee you can have indoor smoking if you only allow 21-up. The ban went into effect on 10/1, and alot of the local bars did do this, as most of their regular customers would have been lost. I don't know about private clubs, etc.

Joe

[wes888]

Originally Posted by Wang Lung

Kalifornia's ban is based on employee protection, as opposed to the "child protection" angle some States have used.

Consequently, owner operated businesses and volunteer workers are exempt. e.g., bingo halls, run by volunteers, are exempt and can allow smoking if they choose. The hall I volunteer at to support our swim team has a smoking area. Unfortunately, cigars and pipes are not welcome. And the pool hall down the street from me is owner operated, and smoking is allowed. Cigars are welcome there.

I heard that the pool hall I used to frequent made its waitresses part owners, like by giving them 1 share, to circumvent the law.