Goodbye to the " Long Lunch " !

Australia has a legendary reputation for what was euphemistically called "the long business lunch " !  These were the meals coupled with plentiful amounts of alcohol that sealed many a business deal and cemented friendships between the captains of industry - and they were warmly catered for by the restaurant trade - but no more !   Most eateries are hanging out the "closed "" sign from Monday to Thursday lunch.

Not only has the long lunch gone out of fashion but today's lunch crowd are much more mindful of the laws governing drink and driving.  It was the plentiful flow of grog that swelled profits and staff costs now make owners very keen to usher patrons back out the door on the stroke of 2-30.  Many owners are mindful of staff  " burn out "!   Good staff are hard to find and asking them to do a double shift of lunch and the evening trade too frequently is stressful.

This week new smoking laws come into force to add more problems for the dining trade.  Anti smoking laws seem to inflict the "death of a thousand cuts " on those who are trying to balance the demands of the non smoking fraternity with the wishes of those who insist that nicotine is the logical companion with a glass of wine or a cup of coffee.

When it became illegal to smoke in an enclosed dining area the law permitted smokers to gather in outdoor clusters of tables and chairs and continue to puff on their cigarettes, but this law is ever tightening.  Now - not only is outdoor dining closed to smokers - they are not permitted to smoke within four metres of such seating - and a further blow prevents them lighting up within four metres of the entrance or exit of a restaurant, licensed premises or cafe.

The big clubs can probably find the space to overcome this provision, but for the average small restaurant it is a death blow.  Heavy fines are imposed not only on the errant diners lighting up, but also on the business that has this offence taking place.  Individuals face an on the spot $ 300 fine, but business owners could face a $ 5,500 penalty.

Owners shudder at the confrontations they know will happen.   A group of very nice people dine on the restaurants most expensive dishes and order from the best wine offerings, and when the meal reaches the coffee stage - one of the diners lights up !

The waitress respectfully tells the group that smoking is not permitted - and the offender is outraged ! It quickly becomes an issue of blame directed at the establishment, completely ignoring that this is a law passed by parliament and effective in all places serving meals.  Either the offender refuses to butt the cigarette or the diners leave in a huff, loudly declaring they will never return for another meal

It seems inevitable that eventually this smoking ban will be extended to all outdoor areas and it will be illegal to lightup in any street.  There even seems to be a doubt about smoking in a persons own home - where that is an apartment in a building that houses other people and where sidestream smoke can enter other premises.  It is fast heading towards a situation that smoking in any form of company will require the permission of other consenting adults - to be legal.

Probably - the sooner the better !   Each time another incremental change comes into effect it brings another round of arguments between smokers and those tasked with implementing these new requirements.   Once smoking becomes an activity that can only be carried out within a sealed area of a free standing house - owned or rented by the smoker - will the smoking in a public place issue be settled.