LIHUE >> A Kauai County Council workshop on legislation to limit smoking in restaurants failed to draw a single restaurant owner yesterday. Restaurants absent
from smoke talkBy Anthony Sommer
tsommer@starbulletin.comCouncil Chairman Ron Kouchi said the absence of any restaurant representatives was a clear signal that they believe at least some restrictions are inevitable. "I haven't had a single call," he said.
Kouchi said it was a far cry from the last time the Kauai County Council took up smoking prohibitions, in 1985 and 1986. He recalled that debate as "very nasty and very ugly."
Council member Jimmy Tokioka, who is pushing for smoking limitations and who is a restaurant owner himself, said their absence was a concession that a position that no restrictions should be imposed "is indefensible."
But the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Kauai, which did send speakers, also was told their demand for a total prohibition on smoking is unlikely to be granted.
"Sometimes, when you put all or nothing on the table, if you don't get all, you get the alternative," Kouchi warned them.
The effort on Kauai is being conducted at the same time as limitations are being considered on Oahu and Maui.
The Honolulu City Council by a single vote recently defeated a measure calling for restrictions, and is now looking at two proposed compromise bills. The Maui County Council, like Kauai, has only begun discussions, and no bill has been drafted.
Kauai County
