So you don't smoke and you think a smoke free bar would be a good thing?  I am a smoker and sometimes I feel that way too.  I want to give you a few reasons that you should reconsider your opinion.

            Some Civil Rights issues:                                                                                                          

1.      The Mix and most of the venues that you attend are privately owned businesses.  Is it fair for the state to tell us how to run that business? 

2.      We are all over 21 and able to make decisions for ourselves.  We all know the dangers of smoking and the effects of second hand smoke.

3.       Right now, you can decide whether to come in and stay, or to leave and go to a non-smoking bar, or to go back home.

4.      Smoking tobacco is not illegal!

Some Security issues:

1.      The current Bill is written so that you can't smoke within 15 feet of any opening (door, window, or ventilation system).  Go stand on the street!

2.      While you are on the street, leave your drink unattended in the bar.  How safe is that?

3.      We have outside security on most nights, but most bars don't.  If there is a problem outside of the bar, there is not anyone to help you.

4.      And the bar staff will now be the smoking police.  We are to call the police if you won't quit smoking in or near the bar.

Some Economic Issues:

1.      Most of the venues you attend, being privately owned, are always walking an economic tightrope.

2.      Statistics have shown a drop of an average of 33% of revenue for bars that have had to comply with this new law.  This has resulted in cutting back employee hours or reducing staff, raising prices to compensate for the loss of income, cutting back on hours of operation, and closures.

3.      The Mix offers free live music nightly, if we cant afford to pay the bands because of income loss, there wont be that reason for you to drop in and stay.  Other venues may have to increase their cover charges to compensate.

4.      Minimum wage for employees in the service industry is $2.13 an hour.  We do not live off our paychecks, those mostly go to paying taxes.  We depend on our customers to tip in order for us to pay rent, eat, and to survive.  If our customer base is decreased so is our income.

Some Health issues:

1.      This is not really being fought as a health issue, even though that is the author of the bill main written concern.  They are trying to protect employees and customers in smoking environments.

2.      We are not sitting in a bar drinking to improve our health. 

3.      We also do not eat fast food for our health but that isn't being attacked, yet.

4.      We are all old enough to make the decision to work or hang out in a bar that allows smoking.  Its back to it is should be your choice on what to do with your life.

On a personal note.   I am OK with not smoking in most public places.  Restaurants, malls, any place children may be present, should be off limits.   I never smoke in restaurants out of respect to non-smokers, just like I don't blare my car stereo with my windows down, that annoys me when other people do it.  Bars seem different to me.  Everyone is over 21.  You can leave if you don't like it.  Banning smoking in bars isn't going to stop people from smoking.  Its just going to cause smokers to become a security issue and a littering issue.  Where do you think people are going to throw their butts? The Mix is a privately owned small business, and we should be able to make decisions on our own and not be forced by the State to initiate a smoking ban.  There are non-smoking bars in San Antonio that anyone can visit.  There is a choice.

            I am not trying to change you mind about smoking.  What I am trying to do is make you realize that this ban will affect you even if you are not a smoker.  I want you to call State Representative Joaquin Castro and tell him that you don't want you civil rights attacked.  You want to continue to be able to make choices for yourself. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this.  Feel free to respond, I would like to know how you feel on the issue.

Polly

State Representative Joaquin Castro

District Office                                                  

(210) 684-6896                                                          

(210) 684-6945 Fax   

Capitol Office

(512) 463-0669

(512) 463-5074 Fax

http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=125&rep=joaquin.castro