Taverns brace for smoking ban in different ways

Kennebuc Journal ^ | 12-15-03 | CHUIN-WEI YAP

[SheLion]

Smokers will face a new choice of bars in the new year ahead. While some bars will be entirely smoke-free, including many in the greater Augusta area, others have spent thousands of dollars to build covered annexes for their smoking clientele in preparation for Maine's ban on smoking in bars next year.

Maine legislators (AND THE RINO'S INCLUDED) passed the ban on smoking in bars and taverns in June, joining New York, California and Delaware in extending smoke-free environments to one of the last bastions of public indoor smoking. The ban takes effect Jan. 1, and experience in other states suggests the crowds will spill onto the sidewalks to light up.

Bravo's Mexican Restaurant in Augusta is one outlet that built a patio specially to accommodate smokers.

"We built it this (past) fall, so we can have people eat and smoke outside if they want to," said Brodie Tewkesbury, the outlet's manager. "So when (the smoking ban) comes into effect, we can have people smoke outside."

The concrete patio, which is uncovered, is behind the Bangor Street restaurant.

But by and large, bars in the Augusta area are not trying to soften the blow for smokers. Those include The Wharf and The Liberal Cup in Hallowell and Tilbury Town Tavern and the Depot Pub in Gardiner.

"We're sticking with the ban," one employee at The Liberal Cup said.

Bars farther north are beating the ban, however. At least three have completed or are erecting such smoking rooms. Their owners are motivated mainly by business motivation -- to keep their smoking patrons -- but some of them also are trying to dissuade smoking customers from illegally taking their drinks with them outside for cigarette breaks.

"We don't want people going out on the street to smoke, so we're building a deck for smokers to go out and smoke in," said Jibryne "Gubby" Karter, owner of Waterville's Bob-In Tavern.

"(Otherwise) we'll have the police coming round. We want to make sure (customers) are not trying to sneak out (to smoke) with beers. That makes more of a mess on the sidewalk."

Karter is building a 12-by-20 feet enclosure. The roofed space will be open on one side, according to directions laid down by the district attorney's office. The rest of the walls are wooden, with tinted glass windows and a space heater "to take the chill out."

In all, Karter said he will sink $5,000 to $10,000 into the project.

"We got the platform section built," Karter said. "It will all be under construction until the end of next week."

On Skowhegan's Main Street, the South Side Tavern is building a latticed enclosure for its smokers.

"I'd much rather have (smoking customers) in a controlled area like that," said owner Bart Hughes, a nonsmoker.

Like the other tavern owners, Hughes had to wade through a small sea of bureaucracy to get the annex up. That includes inspections by the Fire Department and the state's liquor licensing agents. The Waterville bars got approvals from the local code enforcement officers as well as the district attorney's office.

South Side's smoking patrons are pleased.

"I like it," said Eben Miller, 48. "Ninety percent of people who come in here smoke."

Other bar owners, including nonsmokers, are more strident in opposing the ban.

"The more comfortable I make it, the less it hurts me," said Fred Karter, the nonsmoking owner of Waterville's Chez bar. "I want to show my customers I appreciate them. It's pretty unfair. They let private clubs do it (allow indoor smoking). I've never smoked in my life, but I don't consider smokers criminals. We think we have to regulate everything."

Fred Karter is building an 11-by-20-foot latticed annex shielded with glass panels. He is spending more than $4,000 on construction materials and building much of it himself. He estimates that 98 percent of his customers smoke.

But for the annex builders, it is a matter of doing business.

"It's an intangible -- 75 percent of my people drink and smoke, and a lot of people tell me they only smoke in bars," said Bob-In's Gubby Karter. "How much will (the new ban) affect us? Initially about 10 percent. I'm hoping it's not worse than that. We're doing everything we can to accommodate (the smokers). We don't want 20 people outside with their butts on the ground and everything."

Chuin-Wei Yap - 8619253

ychuin@centralmaine.com

[SheLion]

Smoking Deck in Northern Maine today:

Oh yes........let's all go and smoke outside!

[SheLion]

smokeless tobacco will rise!Half smoked cigars will get chewed, people will wear the patch after they eat, and the rest of the non smokers will not have to share.

I smoke! Period! I don't smoke cigars.......I don't smoke pot...........I WON'T wear the PATCH..........I just smoke CIGARETTES which are STILL a legal product!

But THINK OF THE MONEY I WILL SAVE by not going out to eat in a SMOKELESS restaurant/bar/tavern. HEH!

[Gabz]

They look so comfy, cozy and inviting........



NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[OPS4]

Well, think of the money you would save if you quit smoking, and how much healthier you would be.

Ops4 God BLess America!

[CSM]

Think of all the money you could save and how much healthier you would be if you LIVED IN A BUBBLE!

[SheLion]

They look so comfy, cozy and inviting........

Gabz! That's what we got hit with yesterday! Can you ever imagine going out to smoke in THAT??????!!!!!!!!

[SheLion]

Well, think of the money you would save if you quit smoking, and how much healthier you would be.

Did you know that obesity is the number one killer in America today? Guess what! I am not fat OR obese! At least I am not EATING myself to death!

[SheLion]

Well, think of the money you would save if you quit smoking, and how much healthier you would be.

I don't care to end up looking like THIS, either!

[The Mayor]

This same B S is happening in Buffalo. We have lousy weather too..

A few years ago bars and restaurants built seperate rooms with their own ventalition for smokers.
This year that wasn't good enough and there is no smoking at all allowed.

I see your statistics, 90%, 75, 98% of patrons smoke. Here in Buffalo is about the same.
It was one thing to have to smoke outside in the summer, now it's a little ridiclous.
Yesterday it was 23, today 29, it's only the beginning of a long Buffalo winter.
Wait till there is days of lake effect snow with temps in the teens and blowing snow.

These poor business owners are going to close their doors permantly, they already started.
Then of course we have loss of jobs and revenue from the sales taxes.

ALL these politically correct politicans have got to go!
they all talk about helping small business on one hand,
but do all they can to kill it on the other.
They can't have it both ways, they all s**k.

I'm hoping to be able to raise enough to run for the NY State Assembly this year.

[OPS4]

Bubbles dont form cancers!

Ops4 God Bless America!

[Gabz]

When we got hit with that kind of snow last year I didn't have to worry about it - the Gvoernor had basically shut the state down for the 1st 2 day and I was still snowed into my driveway on the 3rd day........

Not that I would have put up with having to go out to smoke if I had ventured out. I may not live there now, but I still know exactly where in lower Delaware I can have a cigarette with my beer when I go to visit!!!!

[OPS4]

Wow what a great argument, thats like saying I am 1/2 pregnant, or the glass is half full.

Please just go ahead and smoke, its your health, but I am glad your second hand smoke has been removed from my breathing space.

Ops4 God BLess America!

[OPS4]

So why does that becom the alternative to smoking?
Where is your common sense?

Ops4 God BLess America!

[E Rocc]

Outside smoking decks my arze!

Even if they were workable weatherwise, they are big bucks. Not only the deck itself, but you need to either give up an entrance or build another door in the building.

-Eric

[Gabz]

Good luck in making a run for the Assembly. We need more right thinking people in all the state houses!!!!

[CSM]

"Bubbles dont form cancers!"

Ah, but they could protect the sheep from every suspected cause of cancers!

Since you seem to know the cause of cancers, when can I expect you to publish the cure?

[Gabz]

but I am glad your second hand smoke has been removed from my breathing space.

In actuality it is not.......you have been invited by the owner of a private property to enter IF YOU CHOOSE to partake of his services.

[steve50]

I'm open for adoption! heh!

I hear you bite and scratch the furniture tho. How do you feel about being de-clawed?

[SheLion]

ALL these politically correct politicans have got to go! they all talk about helping small business on one hand, but do all they can to kill it on the other. They can't have it both ways, they all s**k.
I'm hoping to be able to raise enough to run for the NY State Assembly this year.

Yes, but you don't see them trying to BAN cigarettes, DO we? They just want our tax dollars and be able to CONTROL US. I'm SICK of it and I am SICK OF THEM!

Good luck with running for State Assembly! Become of boil on their azzes! heheh!

[SheLion]

Please just go ahead and smoke, its your health, but I am glad your second hand smoke has been removed from my breathing space.

Oh Honey! Listen! I would NEVER want to be around YOU to smoke ANYWAY! Your not my kind of friend!!!!