Tobacco Documents Online

..~ ~ l~7f R~ ll'i0~.> L rV ~ ~r~. ~~~~ ~~ f~rxbitiYe 40 Mercredi 12 Avril 1995 a Angry Smokers Fume Over Tough N. Y. Ban Reurm NEW YORK - Smokers are cursing and popping out to the stteet for a puff whiie restaurant owners fume over New York City's.tottgb new laws banning smoking in most of the city's rataurants. The laws, which took effect Monday, prohibit smoking in azidsir.ed and large restaurants, in outdoor sports arenas and at most sidewalk cafts. Smoking is allowed in restaurants that seat fewer than 35 people, separate bars of larger restaurants and.stand-aione bars. "It's made the bar very busy and the dining room very quiet," said Hugh Connolly, the owner of Desmond's Tavern. "I'd say I've lost 20 to 30 percant of the people who would have eaten in the dining room." .Vnd customers' reactioa? "I've go~tten a few four-letter words regarding govctnment and Mr. Giuliant," he said, referring to New York's mayor, Rudolpb Giuliani. The mayor signed the new regulations in January xfter a heated debate in the City Council. But New York Gty'shealth commissioner, Margaret Ham- burg, said that in other cilies with smoking restrictions, studies have showed that fears of lost business were unfound- ed. "I, like most New Yorkers, want my food and the environ- meat in which I'm eating to be healthy," she said, "and I know that many restaurants who are afraid of a loss of business will be greatly encouraged when they see it is not occurring." The manager of the posh La Cirque. Marco Maccioni, reported that a top fashion model ducked outside several times between courses to have a smoke. "The ban is going to cripple the demand." he said. Restaurant owners insisted that the old system - with separate smoking and nonsmoking sections - was working fine.