Posted on 02/16/2004 8:36:41 AM PST by SheLion
AUGUSTA -- Bar patrons might be finding it easier to take a breath when downing a pint, but the smoking ban is choking local pubs.
Because of the no-smoking law, local restaurant bars are reporting declining sales as smokers go elsewhere to order a drink and light up.
"This is the worst I have seen," said Shawn O'Connor, Jonathan's Restaurant owner. "I am doing numbers (sales he had) when I first started 16 years ago."
Customers don't want to stand outdoors in the bitter winter or foul weather to puff, he said, noting business has dropped 40 percent because of the combination of the ban and weather.
"We're not getting anything," he said. "Now, there's no difference between leaving outside work to smoke and coming here to smoke. This is supposed to be a getaway."
At the Old Mill Pub in Skowhegan, business is down around 20 percent, according to owner Lou Hornstein.
"I have a problem with the government interfering with free enterprise," he said. "I haven't seen the promised replacement of nonsmokers coming in."
"I don't see Baldacci running down here," O'Connor said.
Bar smokers often venture to outside entrances or decks like at the Old Mill Pub.
Having a deck is not a good opportunity to gain back the smoking crowd, according to Hornstein.
"In Maine, there is only three good months," he said. "If it's raining or snowing, you effectively don't have a deck."
Having begun Jan. 1, the law is not only affecting owners, but also their employees.
Susie LaBelle is the bar manager for Sully's Tavern in Winthrop, and her usually stuffed tip jar is regularly half full since the ban.
"I'm a smoker, and it's almost a Roe versus Wade sort of thing," she said. "People don't go to bars to be healthy. We are not subjecting people to smoke. They can come here or not. Let their feet do the talking."
If feet are doing the talking, more smokers are trekking to private clubs for drink and a smoke.
Clubs like the Elks Lodge and the American Legion offer permitted smoking bars and are exempt from the law only if the paid employees agree to allow smoking. The clubs must be nonsmoking if the employees are volunteers.
The Elks and American Legion say they are not aware of increased membership because of the smoking ban, but restaurant owners say many of their regular smoking customers are flocking to them.
"There would be more people gravitating to private clubs because of the ban," said Ron Sailor for the state American Legion.
Allowing private clubs and off-track betting establishments to operate smoking bars is discrimination, said Jeff Hinds, owner of Sully's Tavern.
"It's not a level playing field because the law does not go across the whole board," he said. "It's like saying only this bar can have a smoking area. Owners should be outraged."
The state has clamped down by charging two bars in southern Maine with violating the smoking ban last week; fines can reach the thousands.
In the meantime, bars are trying to find alternatives to fill the empty cash registers resulting from the ban, such as making smoking decks.
Jonathan's Restaurant is trying to bring revenue in by making home deliveries, but many businesses don't know how to fight the lost business.
"I wish I knew what to do," LaBelle said. "If only I could afford a high-priced law firm to fight the state."
As soon as you get gabz to back up HER statement.
By the way, learn the difference between libel and slander.
You addressed your comment to us smokers now I'm taking you to task to back up your foul statement!!!
Are you saying it does or does not apply to you. I am confused.
Then you said: It wasn't my statement. I am just the messenger. I did NOT say that I thought the same. Learn to read.
You made the claim I/We demanded you back up your statement! We could care less what your feeble mind thinks, not that we don't already know!
You are a lying coward until you can prove your statement!
We know how to read and your statement was loud and clear. We just want you to back up your statement with fact!
Yes you are! I haven't said anything to express my opinion one way or the other. I am only demanding that you produce the evidence to support your initial statement. Seems to me you are back stepping so fast you will be into January real quick......
I don't understand what you are implying.
He's a forking liar! I've never seen a smoker in Free Republic say anything like that!
Can't do it. Already, the Attorney General has two bars caught from a snitch turning them in for allowing smoking to continue:
I do remember you showing me that smoking deck at your website, though. Give em hell!!! ;-)
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