By Diana Lucio Reporter
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Published: Sun, January 27, 2008 - 10:37 pm
Diana Lucio
Daphne City Council will vote on the proposal February 6th at its meeting, but for now business owners are weighing in the proposal.
City Councilman John Lake, District 3 says the citywide smoking ordinance proposes banning smoking at restaurants and other businesses in Daphne in an effort to promote a cleaner environment. However, "Bars will have an exception, if a certain amount of their business comes from alcohol sales, but overall most businesses will have to make it a smoke free environment," Said Lake.
The ordinance also prohibits smoking within 20 feet of the proposed areas. But that part of the proposal doesn't get a nod from Dorothi Price who owns the Zen Tattoo Parlor. "Unless it's a hospital I don't see why they'd try to enforce that ordinance because there's lot's of air out there. And I think it's ridiculous that they try to have control over somebodys every move in their life,"Said Price.
While over at the D'Olive Bay Wood Fired Grill, owner Sam DiPalla says it doesn't make a difference to him. A smoker himself, DiPalla says while he allows smoking at his bar, he doesn't feel threatened by the proposal. "Predominantly people come here to eat not to smoke. There are a few that like to smoke and eat, but it shouldn't have a big impact on our business, "Said DiPalla.
If the ordinance passes, Daphne will be the 8th city in Baldwin County to pass a smoking ban, following Bay Minette earlier this month.
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I can understand how smokers might feel a little irritated over this, but in the long run I believe it’s the best decision for all restaurant patrons. I have bad allergies and smoke is an irritant that can make a dining experience pretty miserable because it’s hard to control so that it doesn’t go where it’s not suppose to. And with mounting evidence about the long-term effects of second hand smoke it will only be a matter of time before it’s the law everywhere. Think about employees who work around it because they need a job and subject themselves to this every day. Being close to Pensacola we often drive there for dining on special occasions just because we know that we’ll not get run out by smoke. For smokers it’s an involuntary sacrifice. For many others it’s very much appreciated change.
I believe one day we’ll tell our kids that smoking was allowed in restaurants and they’ll have a hard time believing it.