Smoking ban could hurt nightlife
By Steven T. Jones and Meghann Myers
San Francisco’s bars and clubs often live in a delicate balance with their neighbors, who can be quick to complain about noise and other nuisances. Bar managers and event promoters say that balance could either be upset or strengthened by legislation coming before the Board of Supervisors in coming weeks.
Groups such as the Entertainment Commission and Outdoor Events Coalition are working on legislation to write the right to party into the city charter (a previous plan to take it to the ballot has been jettisoned in favor of doing it legislatively later this month). But club owner and Entertainment Commission member Terrance Alan is equally worried about another well-intended measure that he fears could have disastrous impacts on nightlife.
The Board of Supervisors will tomorrow consider amending San Francisco's health code to further restrict smoking in public. If passed, the law would ban smoking in owner-operated bars and restaurants, prohibit smoking within 20 feet of entrances of commercial buildings, and prohibit patrons from smoking on outdoor patios of bars and restaurants.
The result, Alan tells us, could be to send chit-chatting smokers further from the clubs and closer to neighbors who already have the police on speed dial, just waiting for another reason to file complaints.
The measure, sponsored by Sup. Chris Daly, aims to close loopholes and standardize what it calls San Francisco's "outdated" health code with the current California state law and federal advisories. Current San Francisco smoking regulations have been on the books since 1994.
"In 2006, the Surgeon General announced that there is no safe level of exposure for secondhand smoke," said Lena Gomes, a representative at Supervisor Daly's office. "This measure promotes health and safety for all San Franciscans."
Alan said the ordinance will force groups of smokers to leave club premises and venture deeper into neighborhoods for a cigarette, increasing street noise around residences. And he said Daly’s office has been unresponsive to the nightlife community about these concerns, something Gomes disputes.
"To me, that is hyperbole. Twenty feet is not a huge difference, it's not going to impact neighbors," said Gomes. "As far as noise, the business is responsible for controlling their patrons."
The Small Business Commission openly voiced its concern and won some of their battles with the authors of the ordinance. These concessions include a delay in implementation for outdoor dining areas as well as the "grandfathering in" of several establishments.
"But a lot of their recommendations would put us at the status quo, and in some cases break the law," said Alyonik Hrushow, a co-author from the Department of Public Health. So check out the hearings or check back with the Guardian to see what happens.
digg •
del.icio.us •
sphere •
google
•
Comments (1)
you sould put up some stuff about how smoking could hurt you lungs not about who made it an who are hepling the person that is makeing the cig. tell how if people dont stop smoking there just going to use money that they will need in the future to buy something that they wont other then a sqare or a pipe or some people wont to live long lives but they wont reach the age of 70 if thet keep on somking you sould write about some one you knew that used to smoke that changed there life ways an is now has a chance to live a long life this are the things you should think about when you are going to put up more about smoking.
Posted by jaime waldron | October 14, 2008 05:55 PM