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by Pikie from Willoughby, OH

Last Post 39 days, 12 hours Ago


The smoking ban, an update
Feb 20, 2007 | 10:03 AM
Category: News
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I have been to several restaurants and 2 bars since the smoking ban started.  A few of the restaurants were chains and 3 of them were local.  I've been out on weeknights and weekends.  The places all were crowded, even the 2 bars.  People were going outside to smoke, even in the freezing weather. 

I didn't see any of the doom and gloom predicted.  Granted, the bars I went to weren't tiny, little neighbohood bars--they were sports bars that were larger.  But still they were doing a brisk business.  On one occasion I was with my girlfriend, a smoker, who had bought some of that gum and because it was so cold outside, she chewed some of that.  Don't know if you are supposed to use that quitting gum as a substitute for a cigarette when you're not really quitting--but that's what she did. 

Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone else had any imput on this.  Do you know of any places that have closed because of the smoking ban?  Any places more profitable?  And smokers--how are you adjusting?

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Member Comments Total Comments: 17
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rmarkle read my blog view my photos
Feb 20, 2007 | 10:27 AM

I have seen on the news plenty of business being hurt by this. There was one just a week or so ago about Hazel's down in Elyria.

I still think it is a bad idea. The big businesses will be ok like TGI Friday's and such but these little mom and pop places are not. They will go out of business.

All the non-smokers just seem to be going to the bigger businesses. That why I still think it should be the choice of the owner.

I personally do not care because I just don't go like many other people I know. I do think that businesses will be hurt and it is starting to show now.
BUSDRIVERMAN read my blog
Feb 20, 2007 | 11:51 AM

most little places are not being hurt, because most of them are not enforcing it until they can be find, if the little places are enforcing already, they are not good business people to begin with that's why they are hurting!! Every owner I've talked to has notice an increase!! Families comming in with their kids and more grandparents, when are you smokers going to wake up and admitt smoking is bad, real bad for your health, and if you say it's my health want to see your over million dollar health insurance policy so I don't have to pay for your hospital treatments out of the taxes from whereever!!!
BUSDRIVERMAN read my blog
Feb 20, 2007 | 11:53 AM

most little places are not being hurt, because most of them are not enforcing it until they can be find, if the little places are enforcing it already, they are not good business people to begin with that's why they are hurting!! Every owner I've talked to has notice an increase!! Families comming in with their kids and more grandparents, when are you smokers going to wake up and admitt smoking is bad, real bad for your health, and if you say it's my health want I to see your, over million dollar, health insurance policy so I don't have to pay for your hospital treatments out of the taxes from whereever!!!
gamer173 read my blog view my photos
Feb 20, 2007 | 11:58 AM

More and more bars that at first listened to the ban now allow smoking again. The couple of bars I went in to said they lost to much to the bars who where not listening.
0ROARK read my blog
Feb 20, 2007 | 12:24 PM

I SMOKE. I MUST ADMIT IT IS A TERRIBLE ADDICTION. I COULD KICK MYSELF EVERYDAY FOR EVEN STARTING. AND NO I DON'T FEEL THAT IT IS MY RIGHT TO INFLICT IT ON OTHERS WHO DO NOT SMOKE. I WENT TO HAPPY HOUR LAST WEEK WITH A FRIEND AND SURPRISED MYSELF FOR NOT SMOKING FOR 3 HOURS. WENT TO THE HOME AND FLOWER SHOW WITH MY MOM AND DIDN'T SMOKE FOR 3 HOURS OR SO THERE EITHER. I'M SURE I'LL MANAGE. I DON'T LIKE IT BUT I'LL GET OVER IT.
Jenna13marino read my blog view my photos
Feb 20, 2007 | 2:47 PM

As a fellow smoker, the ban doesn't really bother me either. When we go out with are children we always sat in non smoking sections any how, or were in non smoking establishments. Yes I have been in and do know of places that are not inforcing the ban. A lot in Lakewood. The only thing that really bothers me the most is that everytime someone wants something either a new stadium or arts and music for the children, they want we the smokers to pay for it. Now please don't get me wrong, I am all for the arts for children; I even voted for the tax this time but why is it that they always come to the smokers? Especially now that the smokers can't smoke anywhere in these stadiums that used to have smoking sections. They say... smoke outside or not at all. Well isn't the stadium outside? How is this right? I don't know. It just seems to me that alot of thought was not put into this ban and now that we have the ban a lot of people are not happy and will voice that opinion when it comes time for a voting season. In the end the only people that are going to suffer are the people looking for that additional tax money for funding the programs they need. All I can say is that I will never vote for an improvement or rebuild tax on any of these stadiums that my smoking dollars built. It may sound a bit harsh but the truth always is. The only thing that may change my mind is a championship and as you know and to my knowledge, hell has not yet froze over! LOL
foxeighter read my blog
Feb 20, 2007 | 2:50 PM

I DON'T SMOKE...BUT WHEN I GO TO A BAR.. I EXPECT THE SMOKE,,, I AM USED TO HAVING A DRINK, SOME WINGS AND CIGARETTE SMOKE... SERIOUSLY... THAT IS THE ONLY TIME I CAN TOLERATE SMOKE.. IS AT A BAR.. FEEL SORRY FOR YOU SMOKERS...
Pikie read my blog view my photos
Feb 20, 2007 | 4:07 PM

Jenna, you make me laugh--about the championship team!! ha! ha! that's right, hell will freeze over first.
ElongEG read my blog view my photos
Feb 20, 2007 | 6:53 PM

I work in a shop in lodi smoking is still allowed
i quit a year a go they blow smoke at me all the time and tell me they are allowed to smoke here
please send someone to Lodi Foundry and tell them its a law
RCR340 read my blog
Feb 20, 2007 | 7:06 PM

Sorry, but I choose at an early age not to smoke....thank you God! Anyway, yes the smaller bars will be hurt and some will cease to operate. But the bars that serve a decent dinner or entertainment will be fine! Hey, New York is smoke free, the bars in the Bronx are always packed with people. Smoking is just plain bad....the entire United States is trying to push this smoking ban across the board and it will happen. Still, Pennsylvania allows smoking, many Ohioians jump the Youngstown border into Sharon, PA. and hang out at the bars and smoke there. Just ask The Quaker, Steak and Lube Wing House in Sharon, PA.
clevebtch read my blog view my photos
Feb 20, 2007 | 7:13 PM

I can honestly say that I am clueless as to how businesses are doing since the ban. I personally have not been to a bar or restaurant in quite some time, so I don't know. However, I agree with Jenna 100% on the taxing issue. I think it is a total CROCK! As I've said many times previously, don't tax the smokers to build your stadiums or museums and then say, no, you cannot do that here. If these politicians and/or people feel so hard up in having to assess taxes on smokers all the time, put the money to good use, not this frivolous, unnecessary crap. Education for one thing should be priority over any sporting arena. Tax the heck out of the players and the owners of the teams - they certainly can afford it. People pay quite a pretty penny to attend sporting events, so they're putting in their fair share already.

And, especially in Cleveland, I'm sorry to say, but NONE of our teams are worthy of any tax for their benefit, cigarettes or otherwise.
girlscout read my blog view my photos
Feb 20, 2007 | 8:12 PM

There is a small restaurant near my home that has noticed a drop in business (Everyone used to smoke in there). They hung up a big sign outside stating, "ALL YOU NON-SMOKERS - WHERE ARE YOU NOW???"
girlscout read my blog view my photos
Feb 20, 2007 | 8:13 PM

There is a small restaurant near my home that has noticed a drop in business (Everyone used to smoke in there). They hung up a big sign outside stating, "ALL YOU NON-SMOKERS - WHERE ARE YOU NOW???"
girlscout read my blog view my photos
Feb 20, 2007 | 8:14 PM

There is a small restaurant near my home that is suffering. Everyone used to smoke in that place. They hung a big sign up outside stating, "ALL YOU NON-SMOKERS - WHERE ARE YOU NOW?"
girlscout read my blog view my photos
Feb 20, 2007 | 8:14 PM

There is a small restaurant near my home that has noticed a drop in business (Everyone used to smoke in there). They hung up a big sign outside stating, "ALL YOU NON-SMOKERS - WHERE ARE YOU NOW???"
Wernerd630 read my blog view my photos
Feb 20, 2007 | 10:24 PM

My school put the ashtrays back outside
butterflykisses427 read my blog view my photos
Feb 21, 2007 | 2:50 PM

I occasionally hang out a small style bar and the past few times I went there the crowd was smaller than normal and they even ignored the smoking ban. I have no doubt in my head big chains will be fine but it will be the smaller type places that will hurt. I'm not a smoker but I agree with the other posters who say it should be owner's choice.
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Pikie

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Member Since: 10/24/2006


 

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