Tobacco Documents Online

NEW YORK POST, THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1995 • • Poll: Bring back smoking sections By GREGG BIRNBAUM Post Correspondent ALBANY - An over- whelming majority of New Yorkers favor laws to ac- commodate smokers and non-smokers in restaurants - not an outright smoking ban, a new poll says. The statewide survey for the Tavern and Restaurant Owners Association found that 70 percent of those questioned back legislation permitting restaurants to have designated smoking and non-smoking areas. "New Yorkers do recog- nize that local smoking re- strictions like those in New York City place an onerous burden on restaurant own- ers," said Scott Wexler, ex. ecutive director of the res- taurant group. New York City recently banned smoking in the din- ing areas of all restaurants with indoor seating for more than 35 people. Only 27 percent of those polled believe smoking should be banned in restau- rants and bars. Outside New York City, state law requires any res- taurant with seating for more than 50 diners to have a no-smoking area - which 73 percent of the poll's respondents said is a "good way" to regulate smoking. Wexier said his group will decide within a few days whether to support legisla- tion that would establish a • less far-reaching statewide standard that could over- ride laws passed by New York City and other munic- ipalities. The pollsters questioned 2,008 residents - three- quarters of whom were non-smokers. Steven Hirsch THE OLD DAYS: City diners once could light up.