Up In Smoke (Again)

The last time Philadelphia City Council took a stab at a bill that would ban smoking in bars and restaurants, the bill’s chief opponent was none other than Rick Mariano. And now that he’s in jail for the forseeable future, the council members must have figured, “Hey, why not add insult to injury!”

And yesterday attempt No. 3 on an antismoking bill began, as Philadelphia looked to join New York City, New Jersey, Delaware and other places that have passed ordinances banning smoking in bars, restaurants, &c.

The debate yesterday went pretty much the same as usual: On one side, workers say they would like the ban, and public health groups trot out evidence — some of it shaky, some of it not — about the dangers of smoking and secondhand smoke and workplace smoke, &c.

And on the other side, restaurant owners say it’ll hurt business — not true in other places — and that secondhand smoke isn’t as dangerous as people say and then, hey, smoking is legal, why can’t I allow smoking in my restaurant if I want to?

And, although Marian Tasco introduced the bill this time (instead of Mayor Street foe Michael Nutter), Street still says he’s for an antismoking bill, yet doesn’t really seem to be all that much in favor of it.

So if you’re wondering, nothing has changed, except for a lack of Rick Mariano. And, once again, the bill will fail. Which the civil libertarian in me feels is wonderful, but the person who hates his clothes smelling like smoke after a night out feels a little disappointed.

Plus, what do you do with your other hand in a bar if there’s not a cigarette in it? (The one hand has a drink in it, of course.) Hold someone’s hand? Not bloody likely. Just rest it on the bar? Makes you think about it too much. Hold two drinks? Eh, that might work.

Council makes a third try at antismoking law [Inky]
Bars upset over talk of smoking ban [Metro]
Archives: Rick Mariano
Photo by Sol Dust Love