Where better to sample local public opinion on Rep. Hugh Holliman’s proposed smoking ban than Lexington’s barbeque joints?
“After the first bill didn’t pass, we just decided to try it on our own,” said Lexington Barbecue owner Wayne Monk, who said employee complaints about the smoky atmosphere spurred him to go entirely nonsmoking in September 2005. Though a few of his smoking patrons were annoyed, he said, the restaurant suffered no decline in business.
More than a year later, Monk said, he feels the decision was the right one.
“I just wish we could’ve done it sooner,” he said.
Others, however, worry about the response from valued customers who smoke.
“From a business standpoint, we’ve got a lot of smokers who frequent the restaurant,” said Tim Myers, who owns John Wayne’s Barbecue on West Fifth Avenue. Though he’s elected to retain half the capacity of his 200-seat restaurant for smokers, he said he suspects “it’s just a matter of time” before the Legislature enacts some kind of smoking ban.
So here you have two restaurant owners doing what they think is best for their business. Myers said nothing about an overall decline in business because he has a smoking section. So I would infer that nonsmokers who frequent his restaurant either aren’t bothered by the smoking section or need to be saved from their own ignorance.
The question is what exactly Holliman’s bill will change:
The language in the bill’s present incarnation contains few exemptions to the “public places” rule. Smokers will still be able to light up in private residences, retail tobacco shops or tobacco manufacturing facilities, smoking rooms designated in hotels, as well as in bars and private clubs. Holliman acknowledged, however, that the bill hadn’t yet entered the committee process and could see changes as a result.
Isn’t that basically the way it is now?
On the subject, this is a bummer. “Uncle Don’s” was my neighborhood barbeque joint while growing up in Raleigh.
