Smoking Ban

Just because somthing is really pleasant doesn't mean it isn't unconstitutional.

As much talk as there is on this site about supporting the underdog, I'm surprised more people weren't pissed about the CD exception to begin with - it was clearly driven by dollars.

Beth, absolutely no question that the Churchill Downs exception was wrong-headed, stupid and possibly corrupt.

But they had already cleaned it up.

Corrupt, you say? That exemption had our "mayor for life"'s stink all over it.

Another fine mess this mayor has gotten us into!

I've never understood why this country can't figure out ventilation systems. You can smoke anywhere in Germany and you will never walk out of a place reeking of smoke.

Because many local bar owners are cheap bastards. There, I said it. And it's the truth.

[Robin Garr]

I was really commenting more on the judicial comments made. It is the role of the court to make judicial findings. There is always an avenue for those issues to be preserved and properly appealed. Whether or not CD changed their own policies re: smoking doesn't change the language in the ordinance. The unconstitutionality was on the face of the ban, not in the way in which it was implemented.

No argument, Beth. The CD exception was a horrible idea.

I'm just emphasizing that the smoking ban itself is not unconstitutional, as long as it is not disparately applied. No need for "study," which means "delay." Just make sure that one size fits all.

[Robin Garr]

Another fine mess this mayor has gotten us into!

Oh, great, now you're going to lure Robert into this discussion.

Not true, Ventilation doesn't take away the toxins. And I've been to Germany, Switzerland and Austria for the past 3 years and places DO reek. We always eat outside. However, entire countries in Europe are now going smoke free....Ireland, Italy, France...

We have gone out more often since July to places we've shunned. I just joined a new band because I can play music in public again..guess that's out now.

We have gone out more often since July to places we've shunned. I just joined a new band because I can play music in public again..guess that's out now.

Oh come on, you know this isn't going last. Don't act like this is the end of all good and holy. It's not out, just on hold.

Besides, I wouldn't be surprised if the vast majority of places won't bother going back to smoking environments in the mean time anyway.

Injunction within 48 hours. New ban without the CD exemption within days to 2 weeks. I love the ban and the judge's ruling escapes any semblance of logic. He just "knew" that the ban could not have passed without the CD exemption. Judicial clairvoyance, I guess.

It depends on what the definition of clairvoyance "is"

"Interesting timing" to wait until the Friday before Christmas and New Years holiday breaks to make a controversial ruling. Courts and some Metro government officials are already gone on break and may not be back for two weeks. The citizens will be distracted by preparing for the holidays and the anger over this insulting ruling will soon be much less or forgotten completely. Who could blame the officials for dodging this "hot potato." (food related);-)

Just sayin'.

BTW - I really like the smoking ban and hope it can be passed again ASAP. I called and e-mailed my Metro Council rep as Steve suggested!

Another fine mess this mayor has gotten us into!

Oh, great, now you're going to lure Robert into this discussion.

Robert can be a useful tool at times. Heh.

They need to take a serious look at other smoking bans around the country before they write the new law. The one size fits all policy is not working out for the small mom and pop bars. In Florida you can only smoke in what is called a "free standing bar" which is a bar that does not have a kitchen. Also in some states you can smoke in places after a certian time of night. Why does our law have to be so inflexable?

The law is a great law with the CD exemption removed. We don't need to look around and see what others are doing. They instead need to look at Louisville and follow its example. The exemption allowing a private club or residence to permit smoking is sufficient! Allowing smoking to start at a certain time does make it any healthier.

Not true, Ventilation doesn't take away the toxins. And I've been to Germany, Switzerland and Austria for the past 3 years and places DO reek.

well in my experience, I never noticed the smoke. either way, I've never been to a bar here that had any kind of ventilation system worth a damn.

I just called the mayor. I suggest we all do......

My goodness, this will probably also mean that a Casino built by our new Governor won't be built in Louisville because smoking couldn't be allowed (as soon as a new ban is passed) and we all know gamblers have to smoke!

What can we do? The sky is falling! Mayor Jerry didn't get his way!

What we can do is pass a new ordinance ASAP and let Louisville return to being smoked free and healthier!

Yup here I am......Also blame 5 metro council members all Democrats for the mess. They were the ones that insisted to have Churchill expecpt because they are an "ICON" as they said...I am sure that a new law without Churchill will be out within the first week of the New Year....and pass with flying colors

I called a couple places I'm going to this weekend for events and asked if they'd still be observing the ban or what their policy would be. No one knew anything about the new ruling. It will be interesting to see, as the news filters out, what individual bars and restaurants decide to do.

Meanwhile, I notice this in the CJ bulletin ...

<i>Cres Bride, owner of two taverns — R Place Pub and Joe’s Old As Dirt — told his customers to light up as soon as he found out about the judge’s decision.

“We’re already smoking,” Bride said Friday morning. “There is no smoking ban, as it stands right now.”</i>

I'll remember this attitude the next time I'm thinking about local eateries that I want to support with my business.

I totally agree.

Also, does anyone know the other members of the "Louisville Metro Hospitality Coalition". I'd like to steer my business away from them, too. There are few on-line references to them and none name the establishments. Apparently, they're content to remain anonymous and stand behind the so-called "Hospitality Coalition".