By Sarah Moskowitz
"Are there going to be 20 drunk people outside smoking?" questioned Heinrich, of the proposed smoking ban legislation that he claims is a "silly idea" and unfair to smokers.
Legislation recently introduced to the legislature seeks to ban smoking entirely in restaurants, bars and workplaces. Existing restaurants and bars may have separate smoking rooms until 2005 and 2006 respectively. All new bars and restaurants would be required to be smoke free.
The new legislation overrides a law passed in 1998, which allowed smoking in restaurants that are equipped with separate ventilation systems in segregated areas. Bars currently have no smoking restrictions.
County representatives gathered on Wednesday, Aug. 28 for what was dubbed a Clean Indoor Air Summit to discuss the smoking ban.
"Restaurant and bar employees have the right to work in a smoke-free environment," said Legis. Roger Corbin (D-Westbury), deputy president officer. " While the county passed smoking restrictions in 1998, we believe it is time to take a stronger stance on this health issue."
Second-hand tobacco smoke is responsible for 63,000 deaths each year in the United States and is linked to the development of childhood asthma, according to the American Cancer Society. Regardless of smoking's fatal statistics, villagers, smokers and non-smokers alike, do not support the county's new legislation.
Tino Passaro of Malverne, a social smoker for about 10 years, said he likes to have a few cigarettes when he drinks. He calls the proposed law unfair for smokers as well as for the bar industry.
"It'll kill the business," said Passaro. "[Smoking in bars should be allowed because] that's the way it's always been."
Heinrich, a smoker for 12 years, said if the legislation passes, he will start bypassing the bar.
"I would have my beer at home," said Heinrich. "I can smoke there."
Part of the argument behind the proposed legislation is the health effects experienced by workers who are employed in smoke-filled surroundings. The American Heart Association, which supports the bill, said that the concentration of carcinogenic chemicals in secondhand smoke is higher than firsthand. Studies have suggested that exposure to one pack of secondhand cigarette smoke is equivalent to smoking half a pack firsthand, according to Dr. Joseph Sciammarella or Rockville Centre's Mercy Medical Center.
Michael Parrella, a smoker, said he does not mind being exposed to second-hand smoke while he works.
"Drinking and smoking go hand in hand," said Parrella, a bartender at Malverne's Connolly Station. "People expect it."
Parrella suggested letting the bars decide if they would like to prohibit cigarettes at their place of business, that way some bars would become smoke-free while others would remain the same.
"I think it's the last place people can go to have a cigarette," said Parrella.
Geppy Clemente, a non-smoking bartender at Broadway Tavern in Malverne, said he does not think the new legislation will discourage smokers from lighting up.
"You're not gonna stop people from smoking," he said. "If I choose to work in this type of environment...I expect it."
Louie Anatra, a bartender at Frankie's Place in East Rockaway said 80 to 90 percent of his customers are smokers. With the proposed smoking ban, Anatra believes bars will lose their customers.
"I think it's outrageous," said Anatra. "[It will] definitely hurt the business."
