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In January the Topeka Independent Business Association (www.topekaiba.org) polled its members and prospective members about the proposed smoking ban legislation. Here are the results.
1. As a business owner, how do you feel about the proposed smoking ban legislation? (n=40) (Percentages do not add to 100%, since multiple answers were allowed.) | | Percent | Number | | I feel this is a decision best left to the business owner. | 47.5 | 19 | | I feel the law was fine the way it was before. | 12.5 | 5 | | This is a good law and will further protect the health of all Kansans. | 40.0 | 16 | | This new law does not affect my business. | 27.5 | 11 | | I am not a business owner. | 2.5 | 1 | | I don't have an opinion on this issue. | 0 | 0 | | Other | 17.5 | 7 | | | | |
"Other" responses: How about a tax incentive to go smokeless? Government should not be legislating this issue. If a business owner wants to allow smoking and I know the establishment allows smoking I can choose not to frequent this place. I must specify "no smoking" due to the chemicals used in my business, so it is not my choice. If all counties in the state are required to ban smoking, OK. If not, then I say no. Customers can vote with their feet. Let them. While personally I do not smoke and prefer not to be around it, I believe this law is further infringements on the rights of individuals and should therefore be avoided. I feel that it should be up to the business owner on what they want to do. 2. Setting aside your feelings as a business owner, how do you feel as an individual about this proposed legislation? (n=40) (Percentages do not add to 100%, since multiple answers were allowed.) | | Percent | Number | I feel this is a decision best left to the business owner. | 45.0 | 18 | | I feel the law was fine the way it was before. | 22.5 | 9 | | This is a good law and will further protect the health of all Kansans. | 45.0 | 18 | | I don't have an opinion on this issue. | 2.5 | 1 | | Other | 17.5 | 7 |
"Other" responses: I would encourage more businesses to go smokeless. I do not smoke and hate having someone's smoke drift my way while I am eating. It also clings to clothes. Maybe a tax incentive to go smokeless. The individual needs to step up and take responsibilities for their choices and not expect government to tell us what to do. Personal property rights reign supreme, the legislature must never meddle in ANY area that may affect our private enjoyment of our property in the smallest amount. I am a non-smoker. I sometimes wish there were more businesses that did not permit smoking in their establishments. However, I am uncomfortable using the "club" of government to impose a solution. If we are to have a smoking ban, it makes more sense to have it statewide than city by city. I'm not a smoker and I hate eating in restaurants in which I can smell smoke, but it's my choice never to eat there again. Smoking bans are another move toward a nanny state in which the government saves us from ourselves. If consumers want to eat in a smoke free environment, they should eat in smoke-free restaurants. But if there is a market for smoker friendly restaurants, then the market has decided that smoking should be allowed there. The less government interference the better. 3. How many full-time employees does your business have? (n=40) | | Percent | Number | | 1-5 | 35.0 | 14 | | 6-10 | 15.0 | 6 | | 11-50 | 25.0 | 10 | | More than 50 | 25.0 | 10 | | No answer | 0.0 | 0 |
-- END -- Word Count: 602 Disclaimer: KSSmallBiz is published by Kenneth L. Daniel. Statements of fact or opinion are those of the authors or persons quoted. All information is believed to be accurate and authoritative but is not intended to substitute for legal, accounting, tax, or other professional advice. Website: Past articles and much more are available at the website, www.KSSmallBiz.com. |
