Post #178013 by spycygrl on Mon, Aug 8, 2005 4:27 AM

On 2005-05-13 03:30, Kukoae wrote:
On 2004-11-10 10:42, TikiMaxton wrote:

In California, smoking is banned in all restaurants and bars, but there is apparently a loophole I didn't realise existed which allows the Tiki-Ti to allow smoking there.

I voted for the law's passage back in 95 or 96 when it was up for consideration as a Proposition. The rollout for bars was staggered by a year or two, but a complete ban on smoking in bars took effect Jan 1, 1998.

As a generally non-interventionist "Libertarian" sort, I am aware of the fine line between tolerating differences and setting a standard which hurts the least number of people. I'm also well aware of the relationship one addictive substance has on another, especially in the grand tradition of bars whose images are burned into our collective consciousness.
...
=Kukoae=

Just an FYI: The ban was an OSHA ban for the protection of EMPLOYEES working in the food and beverage industry. It was not a ban for the protection of customers. That was just a bonus.

Thus, any owner-operated bar/restaurant is exempt not because of a "loophole," but because they don't need the state to protect them from themselves. This only applies to bars in which only owners of the business work there. They cannot "employ" anyone.

The Tiki Ti is very tiny and gets extremely crowded. There are no "ins & outs" when it's busy because it's all about getting in early and staying. Once you're out, you're out. There are a million other bars to go to in this town which are smoke-free. The few that aren't are nowhere near the norm.

And remember: when Tiki culture first began, EVERYONE smoked liked chimneys. To be true to tiki culture, smoking is included.

p.s. I quit smoking 5 years ago, so I'm not sticking up for the smokers. Just giving some background to the Tiki Ti policy (I live around the corner and hit there about once a week).