Jump to full article: Salem (MA) Evening News, 2009-06-19
Author: Ethan Forman Staff writer
Intro: Summer's a time when families head to Goodies Ice Cream in Danvers Square, sit outside and enjoy a tasty treat.
It's also a time when tempers flare between those eating ice cream and those smoking cigars and cigarettes next door in front of Cigars "R" Us.
A thin metal grate is all that separates outdoor patrons of both businesses, at 46 and 48 Maple St., respectively. The sweet odor of tobacco fills the air while Goodies customers eat.
"It's my favorite place to come and relax with our kids, and it's stinky," Kelly Goddard of Danvers said.
That awkward dynamic is exactly what state Rep. Ted Speliotis is trying to address with a bill that would ban smoking within 25 feet of doors and windows of public buildings, including offices, restaurants and bars.
"The real issue is the ability for people to walk on by and not be harassed by smoke," the Danvers Democrat said.
"People have been complaining and people have asked for help," Speliotis said, "and my constituents have asked for help in this matter."
Not everyone is buying it.
"I think it's not right," said Cigars "R" Us customer Maurizio Cotti of Topsfield. "You can't smoke inside, you can't smoke outside. Why sell cigarettes? ... Where are you going to smoke, in the middle of the street?"
At Goodies with her 3 1/2-year-old niece, Emily, Goddard said she could sympathize, though she supports the ban.
"I was a smoker at one point," she said. "You hate to have people feel like a leper, but you should also be respectful because people don't want to breathe it in. It's dangerous."
Jump to full article » |