Pub owners agree; butting out a good thing

BY NADINE ARMSTRONG

The Hants Journal

NovaNewsNow.com



Some bar owners and managers in Windsor say the new non-smoking ban is no big deal. In fact, many of them -- smokers included -- say it’s a good idea.

The Nova Scotia smoking legislation says, as of Dec. 1, smoking is no longer allowed in bars or bar patios.

Prior to this, several Windsor establishments still allowed smoking after 9 p.m. in designated smoking areas or on patios. Now smokers will need to head to the nearest sidewalk to light up, leaving their drinks behind.

The Legion in Windsor was the last remaining bar to allow smoking at all times, with the exception of events that included children, such as wedding receptions.

Legion bar manager Hugh Shankel says business has dropped slightly since the ban, but he doesn’t think it’ll last.

“There have been a few cranky people who complain. They think we made the rule,� Shankel said.

He admits that a few of the regulars aren’t coming in as often, but then some of the non-smokers are filtering back.

“Business is down about 10 per-cent right now. People are still getting used to going outside for a smoke.�

Shankel says that not only are smoking patrons leaving sooner, they’re spending less at the bar.

“On some evenings there are 30 people standing around outside in the yard smoking. They’re buying less beer because they’re socializing out there instead of in here.�

However, he says it’s a sign of the times and he doesn’t expect the ban will ever be lifted. “What people want is what they get,� he said.

Legion branch manager Marvin Lance says the ban is an inconvenience everyone will have to get used to. “Best thing that ever happened,� he said.

Lance is a smoker, but doesn’t hold to the belief it’s something he needs to share in public.

“We have no right to sit and smoke next to someone who has chosen not to. Could you imagine going to a grocery store and having people smoke while they push their cart around? That used to be acceptable too, but now we can’t even imagine it.� Bar Steward George Bell says things have gone remarkably smoothly since the ban was enforced.

“We still get the occasional complaint, but some smokers are happy about it because they find they’re smoking less.�

Hard on business

Pockets Lounge manager Valerie Lakes disagrees. She says the ban is affecting everyone’s business, and not in a good way.

“There has been a serious decline in business since Dec. 1,� she said. “Even on New Year’s Eve we saw a dramatic difference in the number of customers.�

Lake says people are choosing to go home for a drink rather than sit at the bar.

“Regulars used to come in after work, relax and have a few drinks. Now they pop in for maybe one. They just don’t want to stay any length of time if they can’t smoke.�

Pockets had built a smoking area after the original ban in 1999. Lake said after all that expense to cater to non-smokers, smokers should also have some rights.

“Bar owners should have a choice. We put a lot of money into building a smoking room so people could have the option. Even the non-smokers didn’t mind sitting in the smoking area with their friends. It’s just what you do in a bar,� she said.

Lake wonders where it will end. “Everything is designed around non-smokers now. What will they say when they have to walk through a cloud of smoke outside, just to get to the front door. That’s what they’ll complain about next,� she said.



Changing demographic

Richard Cole, manager of Dooley’s, says the smoking ban shouldn’t make a difference unless your business is built solely around smoking and drinking.

“It has certainly changed the dynamics of our business,� said Cole. “But it’s been a positive change.�

He says they have been able to service a whole new demographic since the ban took place.

“There has been an increase in non-smokers coming to the bar and food sales have gone way up.�

What Dooley’s offers, Cole says, is good old-fashioned entertainment: pool, music and food. “If you have only one focus, you’re going to lose business. We promote the social aspect. Whether you’re a non-smoker or smoker it shouldn’t make a difference; the purpose is to be entertained.�

The only downside to the ban is what to do with all the cigarette buts lining the sidewalk outside the building. He says businesses responsible for keeping the premises in a clean manner inside and out.

“People are going to stand outside and smoke. The rule is they should be 14 feet from the entrance, but who is going to enforce that?�

Cole said he knows there have been problems with customers going out to their vehicles to smoke, and some vehicles also contain alcoholic beverages.

“We know they do it. We find empty beer cans out in the parking lot all the time now.� However, he says it isn’t their problem.

“With every new law, there are going to be new challenges. It’s not our job to enforce the law outside of our business. We don’t have the staff or desire to police customers once they leave the bar.�



North American phenomenon

The same challenge may face the Spitfire Arms. Pub owner Troy Kirkby says that keeping the outside clean is important.

“People don’t realize what a job it is to clean up all the cigarette butts. Even though we have ashtrays on the deck and the wall outside, they still drop their cigarettes where ever they want.�

But in terms of the ban, Kirkby says the extra clean-up is worth it.

The Spitfire opened as a non-smoking establishment from day one, with the exception of the outside patio. The only difference now is that patrons will need to step off the patio to get their fix.

Kirkby says he doesn’t expect this to deter customers. “The patio is a much easier transition. There will be less of an impact because everyone is already used to us being a non-smoking pub. People have a few months to get used to the ban before the patio opens again, so we have that grace period.�

He said that much of their summer business is based on tourism from persons who take the non-smoking ban as a given.

“It has really become a North American phenomenon. We don’t get tourists here surprised not to be able to smoke inside.�

And what the majority want is a total ban, according to the Nova Scotia Smoke Free Places Act, which states: “Nova Scotians have asked for a 100 per cent ban and that’s what they’re getting.�