After hearing rumors that the City's Health Inspectors had become more vigilant in enforcing the smoking ban, the Daily News reports that DOH is forcing five bars to appear before a tribunal today in an attempt to yank their food and beverage permits. The five venues (the Box, Lit Lounge, M2, Southside, and the Imperial), were repeatedly visited by undercover inspectors and Daniel Kass from DOH tells the DN, they "stumbled upon some pretty flagrant disregards for the law, and decided we weren't interested in settling with these establishments." M2 was apparently the worst of the bunch, and it didn't help Southside's cause that they had pictures of smoking on their website. If a city judge finds that these venues willfully and continually violated the smoking ban, it will effectively close the venues forever. DOH plans to come after additional violators in the coming weeks.
· Health Dept. to Yank Permits of Nightclubs [NYDN]
· Smoking Ban Coverage [~ENY~]
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