Since the Oct. 1 statewide ban on smoking in all restaurants and bars serving patrons under 21, business owners are starting to feel the difference, or lack thereof.
’Overall, it seems to be a positive decision,’ said Lee Roberts, owner of The Boro Bar and Grill. ’Business has actually increased.’
The Boro decided to change its admittance to 21 and up as of Oct. 1. Since then, he explained, additional customers have come in who normally enjoy a smoke before or after their meal.
’There are a couple of 40-year-old guys who like to get a burger and a couple of beers every Monday night, then have a cigar,’ Roberts explained. ’They can not do that wherever they used to meet, so they started coming here.
’The only problem is kids under 21 who used to come see bands here can’t any longer,’ he adds.
Though Roberts added that since he could not serve them beer anyway, it really has not had much of an impact on the business.
’Most of my trouble came from 18-or 19-year-olds who would get drunk and show up at the bar anyway,’ he said, laughing.
City Caf’, a restaurant that permitted smoking before the ban hasn’t really felt much of an impact either.
’Most of our customers come in looking for a quick lunch anyway, so they are not concerned about the smoking law,’ said Scott Perkins, owner of the City Caf’.
’The only problem I have with it is that I do not like being told how to run my business,’ Perkins elaborated, adding that he understands what is trying to be accomplished by the ban and thinks it is a good thing. ’I just think the consumer should decide.’
City Caf’ adopted the smoking policy six weeks before the Oct. 1 deadline.
The Bluesboro, like The Boro, has seen its business improve since the ban.
’We’ve always been 21 and up,’ said owner Rob Fortney. ’I have people calling me now asking if they can come in and eat and have a cigarette with their meal. Our business has improved.’
He said he would like to see more communication between government and the store owners though.
’We have done quite a bit to make information available,’ explained Tennessee Department of Health spokeswoman Andrea Turner. ’We have responded to all inquiries, posted the law on the internet, and made our phone number public for all of those who have any questions.’
Turner added the health department has been actively training inspectors all over Tennessee to effectively communicate and enforce the new law.
’We welcome any inquiries,’ she said.
As for the major chain restaurants, Chili’s management said the law has not affected its business, and added that they felt communication was fairly straightforward.
For more information, visit health.state.tn.us.
