Steviethepope Posted October 25, 2005 Share Posted October 25, 2005 I know there are a few anti-smoking in public places states. If any of you live in those states (NY and Cali????) How does this affect the hookah business since the whole point of going to a hookahbar is to smoke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soup Posted October 25, 2005 Share Posted October 25, 2005 I was wondering about that sort of issue myself. In Saskatoon, there is a smoking ban and ever since I discovered hookah I've wanted to set up a lounge. We have a large university in town and would likely have no problems in attracting the major hookah demographic. The casino in Saskatoon is going to be laying off many people, they say because the smoking ban has caused them to lose 25% of their business. The casino is not the only place that is claiming a loss of business and with the plans in place for a new casino in the downtown core, I'm not sure how long the smoking ban will be in place for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steviethepope Posted October 25, 2005 Author Share Posted October 25, 2005 The reason why I brought this up is because here in Seattle there is a anti-smoking messure on the table... and it will most likely pass.Plus there are very succesful hookah bars here and I am curious as to if they will have to close doors or whatever... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sariél Posted October 25, 2005 Share Posted October 25, 2005 In California, I believe it only applies to indoors, so some places have screened in patios. Also, it does not apply to family run businesses with no employees. So the owners put their kids to work. I don't know if others are keeping a low profile, or have applied for variances, or if they can claim exempt. I know my local dive bar lets people smoke, and as long as they don't cause trouble, the local authorities let it slide. Also, if one area bar gets visited by ABC, they put it out on the grapevine that there is a sting operation going on, and the ashtrays are hidden and ID's are triple checked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mushrat Posted October 25, 2005 Share Posted October 25, 2005 We're from the government..we're here to help! *sigh* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahwahoo2006 Posted October 25, 2005 Share Posted October 25, 2005 I'm pretty sure that the smoking ban only applies to dual-use locations. By that I mean those where people would come for reasons besides smoking (e.g. eating at a restaraunt). This is to prevent people who dont want to be exposed to smoke to not be forced to have to deal with it. In the case of a hookah bar, it is an establishment created for the EXPRESS PURPOSE of smoking. As such, you make a choice to expose yourself to smoke when you enter it, and it should be exempt from the ban. But Im only pre-law.... so don't quote me on that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kofod Posted October 29, 2005 Share Posted October 29, 2005 The legislation can also be imposed to secure workers in the restaurant industry. Thought behind this is to give equal rights to the worker accepting smoke in the work place and the worker refusing so that all workers can refuse smoke in the work place without risking the work being taken by a less "picky" worker. Its the same thesis that is behind minimal wage, other work environment requirements etc. In this case you cannot just divide in places where guests come to smoke and places where people can come for other things than smoking. This scenario demands that staf in the establishment is keept free from smoke. The choice wether you want smoke ban for this or any other reason (f.ex. what you mention ahwahoo2006) is political. But fact is that most (not all?) of the recent bans in the different major US cities are made on this background - same thing for the bans seen in European countries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greektrash4lyf Posted October 30, 2005 Share Posted October 30, 2005 there is no ban on smoking in public where i am near sf. There are lots of hookah lounges and i have actually been to a couple near my house. So im not really sure if there is a ban in california or maybe it is just in my area that its not banned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobrabyte Posted October 30, 2005 Share Posted October 30, 2005 I know that this has been a big thing at the city level in Texas.One thing that I have seen happening is the localities are offering licenses for businesses that do not make a certain percentage of their profits from food sales.It's interesting ... and I think you would have to fight it the same way a cigar shop would. I did see a couple places forming special private clubs that have their own laws and legislation. You charge your customers a one-time membership fee ($1.00 or something) and they are now protected under your umbrella. Talk to a lawyer if you are wanting to open a bar in these places and make sure you do your homework.-Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmexx Posted October 31, 2005 Share Posted October 31, 2005 Just to throw in my 2cents, I'll read all of your posts later.In Montreal they plan on banning smoking in public places, completely. I was talking with the manager of my local hookah lounge, the best I've ever been to by the way, and he was telling me how he's going to be one of the only places to allow smoking. I'm pretty sure that he will allow cigarette smoking as well, but hookahs for sure. He was saying how it would probably help business out, being one of the only places where you can smoke hookah. He seems to know his stuff, opening a hookah lounge and only after a year being the most popular one in Montreal. Let me tell you, there are PLENTY of hookah lounges here, at least 20.It's a tough business and he runs it well, so if you know what you're doing and you talk to the right people, I'm sure all will be well!Good luck Steve,Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahwahoo2006 Posted November 1, 2005 Share Posted November 1, 2005 [quote name='Kofod']The legislation can also be imposed to secure workers in the restaurant industry. Thought behind this is to give equal rights to the worker accepting smoke in the work place and the worker refusing so that all workers can refuse smoke in the work place without risking the work being taken by a less "picky" worker. Its the same thesis that is behind minimal wage, other work environment requirements etc.[/quote] This logic holds for restaurants, where some people might not want to smoke, but not for an establishment FOR THE EXPRESS PRUPOSE OF SMOKING. The only reason you would go to a hookah bar is to smoke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahwahoo2006 Posted November 1, 2005 Share Posted November 1, 2005 on a completely unrelated note, yay for my 100th post! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steviethepope Posted November 10, 2005 Author Share Posted November 10, 2005 Well... The state voters passed I-901 here in Washington. According to [url="http://smokefreeseattle.org/news_and_events/index.php"]http://smokefreeseattle.org/news_and_events/index.php[/url] it says (copied from the FAQ section)So is smoking banned everywhere, even in bars? What about after midnight or in smoking rooms?I-901 bans smoking in any indoor enclosed public place including all bars, restaurants, bowling alleys, skating rinks, casinos, reception areas and 75% of rooms in hotels. It includes all places of employment. There are no exceptions. The ban applies everywhere, all the time.-I wrote an email to clarify about hookah bars because the whole point of going to a hookah bar is to smoke. They haven't replied yet but I will let you know what they say Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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