Wednesday, June 19, 2013
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Some Palmer Business Owners Balk At Prospect Of Going Smoke-FreeShould business owners have a choice or should the ban be mandatory?PALMER—The city of Palmer is considering going smoke-free. A proposed ordinance aims to ban indoor smoking at all public places, including bars and restaurants. The ordinance introduced at the Palmer city council is very similar to the ordinance Anchorage passed five years ago, and some business owners in Palmer have some of the same fears that Anchorage business owners had then.
Right now, they can decide whether they want smoking in their establishments but some say that should change.
Janet Kincaid is one of them. When Kincaid bought the historic Colony Inn in downtown Palmer 16 years ago she knew from the start that she wanted to go smoke-free.
“I personally wish no one would smoke because it is so absolutely harmful for your health,” said Kincaid. “That’s absolutely proven. No one can dispute that. So for the sake of others I would urge everyone not to smoke particularly in a closed environment.”
Kincaid is a big backer of the drive to make all of Palmer smoke-free, not just for her customers but also for the workers behind the scenes in bars and restaurants who are constantly exposed to second-hand smoke.
But not everyone agrees that government should tell them what to do, including long-time bartender April Lucore, who says she’s not particularly worried about second-hand smoke.
Lucore isn’t a smoker herself but she thinks businesses owners should have a choice about whether they want to go smoke-free and employees can decide whether to work there or not.
There is also a concern that bar owners might lose business if the ordinance passes.
Mary Lou Coddington has owned the Palmer Bar for 26 years.
“Yes, of course we will have less business,” she said. “People can come in here and have a beer or two, or they can drive two minutes from here to Four Corners and have a cigarette and five beers because they can.”
But supporters of the ban insist that businesses that have gone smoke-free don’t see a drop in business; in some cases they even see a gain.
The ordinance still requires a public hearing before a vote. That is likely to be scheduled for next month.
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jjj said on Saturday, Aug 27 at 11:26 AM
You can have one or two beers at the PB, or you can have 5 beers at 4 corners????????? WHAT A MORON!!!! I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE WHOLE VALLEY TO GO NON SMOKING!!!! Every time I choke on your smoke I wanna punch you in the face!!.....duck!
73008409SmokeyJosette said on Thursday, Aug 25 at 6:30 PM
I think that the business owner's should make their own decisions as to the type of business and clientele they want to attract. The government should stay out of it. I wonder if we can ban Californian's from coming up here polluting this state with their grandiose ideas?
72928284Alaskan said on Wednesday, Aug 24 at 1:06 PM
Although I am for a smoke free environment, I believe it is the owners choice whether or not to implement that. If you don't like the smoke then go to a different location. You cant expect the world to change just because everyone got so sensitive over the last few years. Grow up! life is not always going to go in your favor ( fyi I am a non smoker)
72860273BW said on Wednesday, Aug 24 at 12:15 PM
I would gladly come out to the valley to dance IF they were smoke free. I'm a dancer...not a smoker or drinker. Hate going home smelling like an ash tray.
72857757Annie said on Wednesday, Aug 24 at 11:06 AM
This story leads off with "Some ... balk". Leave it to the headline writers to pander to the negative side. How about "majority approve" ... Did the reporter think to ask the ordinance supporters how many businesses approve of this protection for their workers and patrons? Let's hear that side of the story.
72854002Dan in Big Lake said on Wednesday, Aug 24 at 10:40 AM
There goes some more of the Land of the Free rights. I always believed we had the right to choose, but I guess that right is going the way of the dinosaur.
72852591American freedom fighter said on Wednesday, Aug 24 at 9:37 AM
Yes you can be just like Anchorage which is turning more like California everyday. I don't smoke but that is my choice. It's the point of someone forcing their rule on me.We veterans have fought for this country since its beginning and for the most part we still get rules shoved down our throats.A bigger concern for me in these comments is how dangerous second hand smoke is and its OK to DRIVE around and have a few beers
72848899Greg said on Wednesday, Aug 24 at 8:51 AM
This is just a bunch of self-righteous thugs who can't convince people so they'll use the government to FORCE their beliefs on everyone else. Whatever happened to personal responsibility in this country? If you don't want to breathe smoke, go someplace else. Are you really so pathetic you give your money to businesses that DON'T provide the services you want, and you need the government to put a diaper on you because you're too pathetic to take responsibility for your life?
72846112akrock said on Wednesday, Aug 24 at 7:33 AM
You non smoking drinkers make me laugh. You curse the evils of cigarettes but gladly drink poison. Go figure.
72841649Jasper said on Wednesday, Aug 24 at 6:04 AM
Palmer bars........It's not just the awful cigarette smoke... One visit was all we needed to see that these places were not where we wanted to "enjoy" a beer and especially not have something to eat. OMG!!!!!!!!!!
72836889Jim in Palmer said on Tuesday, Aug 23 at 10:54 PM
OR, they can drive another 5 miles and go to Rumrunners (Mat-Su Resort) and have a NICE smoke free bar. Palmer totally SUCKS when it comes to night time entertainment. Four Corners is equally bad, due to the smoke. Same with Mugshot in Wasilla. I applaud the owners of Rumrunners for being smoke free inside, and having an upscale establishment. The Palmer bars never did have my business, I drove to Anchorage or stayed home. People can easily go outside on the sidewalk to smoke, just like they do in Anchorage.
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