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Hotel Industry News

Saturday July 4th, 2009

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New Jersey Restaurant Association Expresses Outrage That Casino Exemption is Added to Smoking Ban Legislation
	TRENTON, N.J. June 9, 2003 Representing the need for statewide public policy without exceptions, the New Jersey Restaurant Association was dismayed today when the Senate Health & Human Services Committee released S-1677/2375 which bans smoking in restaurants and bars but excludes casinos and other venues.
"Three weeks ago casinos were part of the bill. We remained opposed because of other exemptions which we felt would certainly harm restaurant and bar businesses in NJ. Three weeks later, the bill now excludes casinos. We wonder if saving sales and jobs is more important in casinos than in the 21,000 hospitality small businesses in NJ who remain in the bill," wondered John Byrne, president of the NJRA and owner of La Campagne in Cherry Hill, NJ. NJRA supports a level playing field that allows restaurant and bar owners to assess their businesses and accommodate their customers by establishing smoking policy based upon the demands of the marketplace. "We believe that exceptions artificially drive business causing further hardship to an industry that is suffering from a weak economy, bad weather and a downturn in the tourism industry of which restaurants make up more than one third. NJ restaurant owners report they will be forced to lay off workers if this legislation is enacted," commented Deborah Dowdell, Executive Vice President of the NJRA. NJRA is further concerned with reports coming from neighboring New York City and Delaware where restaurants are experiencing business downturns of as much as 20-50% as a direct result of the smoking ban that was enacted within the past month and year respectively. Already there are reports that New York State is reconsidering its smoking ban which goes into effect this July. Current NJ law requires that restaurants post their policy visibly to potential guests and employees so that they know the policy prior to entering an establishment. "We feel the current law works. It provides for choice, requires notice and allows restaurateurs to accommodate their customers, both smokers and non-smokers alike," said Thomas Davey of Davey's Locker in Montvale, NJ who testified on the measure. The New Jersey Restaurant Association represents 21,000 foodservice establishments in NJ generating $8.5 billion in sales and employing 200,000 people. The 61 year old statewide association is headquartered in Trenton, NJ.