David Meyers, a professor at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, told state lawmakers Tuesday about the compelling links between smoking bans in public places and dramatic reductions in heart attacks. But John Singleton, spokesman of Reynolds American, parent company of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., made this argument to the Hutchinson News for letting businesses set their own smoking policies: “Lots of waiters and waitresses actually prefer to work in an establishment that allows smoking, because, generally speaking, smokers stay longer, have bigger tabs and leave bigger tips than nonsmokers. There’s an advantage there, and of course, there’s an awful lot of wait staff who smoke themselves.â€
Of course, if smokers stay longer, that can mean less turnover of tables, which can mean fewer tips. And if more smoking and nonsmoking patrons die of heart attacks, that also can mean fewer tippers.
24 Comments
That’s true, when I bussed tables and my sister waited tables, the biggest tippers where the smokers. (there was no smoking section back then)
Hmmm, heart attacks versus tips. I think I’d take my chances on having smaller tips. Besides, the smokers do stay longer, so you get fewer tips overall.
Since I am a non-smoker I guess I better quit leaving large tips for good service.
Don’t dictate how to run a persons business — dont want to work in a smoky environment – don’t, don’t want to eat in a smoky restaurant – don’t
OMG, could the tobacco lobby come up with a sillier point to make?
I’ve waited my share of tables too. I hated waiting on smokers, cleaning the ashes, having smoke blown in my face, the endless pouring of coffee while they have “just one more”, reeking of smoke when I went home, having them cough all over me and the table, waiting for them to clear out so another round of customers could tip me.
If THIS is what the debate has come to? Let’s let the waitstaff decide state policy. Hell, they are BOUND to be smarter than the average legislator.
I don;t smoke. Used to. But I believe in freedom and property rights. Let the business owner, or the real estate owner if the business owner and the real estate owner are not the same, be free to choose what goes on in their establishment. People are free to choose to not work there, or spend their dollars there.
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/cardio/messages/34416.html
Maybe they should outlaw sex in restaurants? Oops, too late. Another reason I’m hedging my bets on smoking/heart disease debate.
I smoke, but do it outside. I eat at the non section at restaurants. I realize teh aroma lingers (my sympathies, KFG), but I’m not going to shower on the front stoop to the restaurant.
I might be mistaken but isn’t this statewide smoking ban being pushed thru by a group of republicans in the legislature? The supposed party of small government, and aren’t they spending a inordinate amount of time on this issue.
There are several restaurants in town I used to eat at when I was married to a smoker. She still smokes but I don’t go to those restaurants anymore. Divorce is good for something.
I rarely even go to restaurants that have a smoking section because of the drift – you know, having a smoking section in a restaurant is like…..
We don’t owe the people the right to free-base nicotine so they can continue to be slaves to their addiction.
Sorry.
That’s a scary visual, Cap’n–me chained to the Marlboro Man.
Heck, I just smoke for the effect. It calms me down; it peps me up–I don’t know which way I’m going.
Seriously, I’ve quit (ok, abstained) many times for varying lengths of time. The fact remains, it’s the cheapest legal buzz next to coffee (and a damn sight cheaper than Starbuck’s coffee).
Smokers are in general nicer and less judgemental folks. So the fact that they are better tippers is little surprise.
Right–I’m not saying that people should quit.
I’m for people being able to smoke opium if they want to.
I will smoke a cigar if I get the chance myself.
We as a society just don’t have a responsibility to enable people to do it . . .
JR, I’d've attributed it to smoking being a bane of the less affluent. Knowing the work that goes into a job, they’re more apt to be appreciative. I know I have to have really crappy service to warrant the 15%. Even mediocre warrants 20%. And even as cash-strapped as I am, once warranted nearly 50% (it wasn’t a large bill, and I wasn’t going to quibble over change to make the exact half, no matter how exempary the service). then again I have funny attitudes toward the service industry.
Agreed, JR.
Smokers are more sociable and fun compared to non-smokers.
Ya got a point there.
I’ve heard of people on group tours taking up smoking just so they could hang with smokers who knew where all the happening places were going on . . .
REALLY, GHOTZ?!
I thought 15 percent was standard.
Yeah, I ain’t got it, but I spread it around.
Hate to float my own boat, but I’m a firm believer in the old saw, “you can judge the character of a man by how he treats his inferiors”.
Not meaning those in the service industry are inferior, just they’re in the serving position. Sit for a couple hours in a Mickey Ds sometime. Notice the people who treat those workers like crap. Look at how they’re dressed and watch what kind of car they drive. It isn’t exact, every rule has an exception, but you’ll notice those that are most abusive are ‘the better class’.
I hate to paint all those well-to-do as scum, as I’ve known many ‘very comfortable’, well-to-do, affluent, and even some downright RICH over the years who are the real salt of the earth, honest, dependable, and compassionate people. Unfotunately, I only notice a few of that class on these boards. (only talking the upper echelon right now–many of the have-nots on these boards I’d consider trusting with my life or even my wife).
BTW, Cap’n, 15% is minimum.
crappy service generally results in a 0% tip from me. and yes I know they dont make much but thats not my fault.
yes I know they dont make much but thats not my fault.
nate thinks they make 15.60 an hour.
ghotiphaze
Posted February 14, 2008 at 12:23 pm | Permalink
JR, I’d’ve attributed it to smoking being a bane of the less affluent.
Ya know Fish, I think you just hit the nail on the head.
What stupid logic…In Kansas over 930 million dollars a year goes to treating smoking related illnesses, 200 million of that to those on Medicaid, paid directly out of the pockets of the taxpayers. It’s been proven that public smoking bans decrease the incidence of heart attacks and contributes to more people kicking the habit.
Let’s use the logic above in the other direction. If smoking in public places was banned, maybe smokers would be less likely to hang out in the bars for long periods of time drinking, or better yet, maybe they would choose to stay home and drink so they could smoke all they want…either way, we’d have less drunk drivers on the road and lives would be saved.
As far as it hurting bars and restaurants..70% of the people DON’T smoke..so how much can it really hurt businesses? And who really cares? The money wasted on medical care for smokers far outweighs any business losses.
The minimum tip is about twenty percent – I always tip that amount or more – I’ll even seek out the manager and compliment the staff if the service is really good or if the waitress or waiter has paid particular attention to my grand daughter or grandson.
I will, however, tip ZERO if the service is really poor or if the wait staff is rude.
I certainly have no problem with tossing down a few extra bucks for good service – the staff will appreciate it and it makes up for the Republicans that are next at the table.