Maine:County bars bemoan ban on smoking

Bangor Daily News ^ | January 30, 2004 | JEN LYNDS

[SheLion]

HOULTON - Linda Drake can't remember a time when the Black Duck Lounge was so quiet. A bartender in the lounge, located in Ivey's Motor Lodge just off Interstate 95, for the last 14 years, Drake had grown accustomed to hearing orders shouted over the din of clinking glasses and the hum of the two televisions hanging above the bar. She knows most of the regulars' orders by heart and is used to seeing the same people on a daily basis.

Now, however, after the state's ban on smoking in bars went into effect on New Year's Day, Drake doesn't get to see or hear much from anyone anymore.

"I've never seen it like this before," Drake, a smoker, said Wednesday. "It's like all the customers just disappeared." The smoke has vanished into thin air, but so have the patrons.

"I can't believe that the state did this," Rick Kelley, owner of Ivey's Motor Lodge, said late last week. "The state really made a backwards move."

Under the new law, smoking is now prohibited in bars, lounges and taverns, except for those which are considered private clubs. Private clubs, such as the Elks and the American Legion, are open only to members and their invited guests and are exempt from the law.

Bar owners face a fine of $100 for each day they are not in compliance with the new law. Bar owners who run afoul of the smoking ban risk a potential suspension or revocation of their state liquor license.

The Black Duck Lounge gets 90 percent to 95 percent of its business from locals, Kelley said Wednesday, and business is down 70 percent from what it was at this time last year. One night a few weeks ago, the bar sold only $4 worth of alcohol.

"And I bought it," Kelley said grimly.

Many businesses throughout Aroostook County have reported seeing an initial decline in business or customer satisfaction since the smoking ban went into effect.

"I'm sure that it is going to show in sales at the end of the month," Donna Deagay, owner of Freme's Bar and Grill in Ashland, said Tuesday. "The thing that I have noticed since the smoking ban went into effect is that none of my customers stay very long anymore. They come in and leave just as quickly as they came. It's so frustrating."

Deagay also expects her operating costs to spike in another area - on her fuel bill." When you have people coming in and out of the bar to smoke in the parking lot, you've got your front door opening and closing a lot," Deagay said. "It is so hard to watch the cold coming in and have to keep turning the heat up."

While some people have speculated that Mainers living in towns near the Canadian border may start frequenting those clubs, bartenders in Canada are not seeing it.

"I have barely seen anyone come over," a bartender who declined to be identified at the Bistro Bar in Edmundston, New Brunswick, across from Madawaska, said Thursday. "I thought that I would ... but that's just not so."

Those sentiments were echoed at several bars and taverns in Woodstock, New Brunswick, just across the border from Houlton.

Lee Umphrey, spokesman for Gov. John Baldacci , thinks that the long-term effects on the bar industry will be minimal.

"We realize that there was an initial loss of business when smoking was banned in restaurants, but the industry bounced back quickly," Umphrey said late last week. "It is hard because this ban went into effect in the middle of winter, when it is so cold outside. When summer comes, people will come back to the bars again."

Rick Kelley scoffed at the idea that the cold is affecting business. During subzero weather last year, the Black Duck Lounge was packed, Kelley said.

"You certainly hear grumbling as people shuffle outside in the freezing cold to smoke," Tamara Packard, manager of the bar in the Mai Tai Restaurant in Presque Isle, said Tuesday. "People sure are complaining a lot."

Packard reported that she also is seeing her customers come and go more quickly, but remained optimistic that patrons will return.

Rick Kelley is not so sure.

"None of my patrons ever complained about the smoke in here, not even the people who don't smoke," Kelley said. "I feel like this ban takes away my customers' rights."

Kelley spent $1,800 on a smoke remover last year, designed to reduce the amount of smoke in his bar, that he now thinks is unnecessary.

Kelley has talked to an attorney about turning his lounge into a private club, where smokers who pay a membership fee would be free to light up. For now, however, he is going to wait and see what the next few months do for business.

"What I don't understand is where all the customers are," bartender Drake said Wednesday. "All the people who complained about smoke in the bars before can come in here now. So where are they?"

[SheLion]

Did we try to warn them, or did we try to warn them?!

They just can't BELIEVE that we refuse to go out and spend money when we can't relax and enjoy ourselves.

Lee Umphrey, spokesman for Gov. John Baldacci , thinks that the long-term effects on the bar industry will be minimal.
"We realize that there was an initial loss of business when smoking was banned in restaurants, but the industry bounced back quickly," Umphrey said late last week. "It is hard because this ban went into effect in the middle of winter, when it is so cold outside. When summer comes, people will come back to the bars again."

Umphrey……..you old jerk! Spin spin spin! Look at Florida! They were forced to go smoke free, and the bars have lost a LOT of business. It 'ain't' the weather, buddy! Believe me!

"None of my patrons ever complained about the smoke in here, not even the people who don't smoke," Kelley said. "I feel like this ban takes away my customers' rights."

Oh yes! But just because the prissy noses in the state house don't like the smoke smell, they make everyone suffer.

What I don't understand is where all the customers are," bartender Drake said Wednesday. "All the people who complained about smoke in the bars before can come in here now. So where are they?"

Oh yes! Just where ARE all the non-smokers? They were supposed to come out and pick up the money slack of the smokers who are banned!

Give me a break!

Businesses Harmed by Smoking Bans

[Guillermo]

Don't you just love it when a plan comes together?

[SheLion]

Smoking Deck In Maine In Northern Maine in the Winter:

Houlton is only an hours drive from me south. They get the same winters that WE do.

[Great Dane]

Packard reported that she also is seeing her customers come and go more quickly, but remained optimistic that patrons will return.

Don't bet the store on it, we have had the ban for well over 2 years, we still don't go out in town.

[SheLion]

Don't bet the store on it, we have had the ban for well over 2 years, we still don't go out in town.

Oh! But THEY keep telling the private business owners that people WILL RETURN. heh!

Not me! Sorry.......but not me...........

[jocon307]

"Not me! Sorry.......but not me..........."

Nor me. I feel bad for the business owners, but I think I just went to my last NY State winter wedding last week. I'm just not going to subsidize my own suffering any more. Let the places close and then all those workers (none of whom smoke, I'm sure, yeah right) on whose behalf this was enacted (supposedly) will be out of a job. THEN maybe something will change. You can definately file this under the old commie heading of "The worse it gets, the better it is".

[Little Bill]

Baldacci is a communist and a rat, same, same, all to appease the liberal scum in Portland and the coast.

[Seajay]

Same Old Same Old !

At least the remaining patrons clothes don't "stink" (big argument by the smokenazis around here!)

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

If smoking is that important to you, why don't you move? Obviously lack of tax revenues will be felt as a result of fewer smokers and one day you will be gold to some governor. How long have you been "fighting" and what good has it gotten you?

The people I know who moved to Florida are not stupid, they consist of a select group of successful business people who realized a better option. They understood that regardless of how hard they fought, taxes would continue to rise.

[cynicom]

Some of those Mainers have been voting to put the socialists in office. They should look to see who they are.

[SheLion]

Nor me. I feel bad for the business owners, but I think I just went to my last NY State winter wedding last week. I'm just not going to subsidize my own suffering any more. Let the places close and then all those workers (none of whom smoke, I'm sure, yeah right) on whose behalf this was enacted (supposedly) will be out of a job. THEN maybe something will change. You can definitely file this under the old commie heading of "The worse it gets, the better it is".

Does it make sense to go out for a relaxing evening and for the smokers......not be able to smoke and yet have to pay the money for that abuse?

It sure doesn't made sense to me!  There are plenty of places I go during the day where I can't smoke.  I respect that.  Grocery stores, the DMV, the Bank, etc.  But when I go out for a meal and a beverage, that is MY choice to do so.  And if they think I am going to pay for a meal and tips for that abuse, they have another thought coming.

Right after this ban in Maine was forced upon the business owners, I did go to my favorite tavern.  I took a letter and a smoker's right package to the owner.  But after my meal, I couldn't WAIT to get out of there!  In days past, I would have two or three cups of coffee and tip really well.

It's not that I CAN'T go without a cigarette, but why would I WANT to?  I could have gone outside to grab a quick cigarette, but it's not worth the hassle to me.  I love sitting and having my coffee and cigarettes and relaxing.  But that day.........there WAS no relaxing.  Like I said:  I couldn't wait to get out of there.

I don't think I will be putting myself through that again any time soon.

[SheLion]

Baldacci is a communist and a rat, same, same, all to appease the liberal scum in Portland and the coast.

Good ole Guv Baldacci.........DemocRAT..........

The thorn in the side of all the Maine smokers! I have fought with him for over 10 years about the restrictions put upon the Maine smokers. To no avail. He is one of the WORST anti-smokers in the STATE house!

[SheLion]

At least the remaining patrons clothes don't "stink" (big argument by the smokenazis around here!)

WHAT patrons? I don't think there IS any. The barmaid sold "4" drinks, and they were for HER!

[SheLion]

If smoking is that important to you, why don't you move? Obviously lack of tax revenues will be felt as a result of fewer smokers and one day you will be gold to some governor. How long have you been "fighting" and what good has it gotten you?

TC.......is this YOU?

Well, as for tax revenue, I haven't paid into the state coffers for cigarettes for 3.5 years!  But I AM fighting for the rights of smokers.  And if that don't work, at least the lawmakers know that I am out here, and I can be a terrible thorn in their sides.

What good has it gotten me?  The good of knowing that THEY know I am not a sheep following their every spin and lie.  That's what good it has done for me!

The people I know who moved to Florida are not stupid, they consist of a select group of successful business people who realized a better option. They understood that regardless of how hard they fought, taxes would continue to rise.

FLORIDA?! Don't you realize that Florida also went totally smoke free?  There is a Smoker's Rights group right now fighting against this, even as we speak.  The only good thing about being in Florida is that they have attorneys that are willing to help and fight against this outrages smoking ban.

You don't realize.......but there is a lot brewing in Florida my friend. 

And as for moving...........it's not so easy when you put down roots.  I own my own home.  I love my own home.  Why would I want to leave it? State coffers? HA!  I don't buy Maine cigarettes anymore, so therefore, I am not paying into the state coffers.  But this smoking ban is outrageous.  Business owners should be able to decide what they want to do with their business.  NOT the state!

(you get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?!)

If smoking is that important to you, why don't you move? Obviously lack of tax revenues will be felt as a result of fewer smokers and one day you will be gold to some governor. How long have you been "fighting" and what good has it gotten you?

TC.......is this YOU?

Well, as for tax revenue, I haven't paid into the state coffers for cigarettes for 3.5 years!  But I AM fighting for the rights of smokers.  And if that don't work, at least the lawmakers know that I am out here, and I can be a terrible thorn in their sides.

What good has it gotten me?  The good of knowing that THEY know I am not a sheep following their every spin and lie.  That's what good it has done for me!

The people I know who moved to Florida are not stupid, they consist of a select group of successful business people who realized a better option. They understood that regardless of how hard they fought, taxes would continue to rise.

FLORIDA?! Don't you realize that Florida also went totally smoke free?  There is a Smoker's Rights group right now fighting against this, even as we speak.  The only good thing about being in Florida is that they have attorneys that are willing to help and fight against this outrages smoking ban.

You don't realize.......but there is a lot brewing in Florida my friend. 

And as for moving...........it's not so easy when you put down roots.  I own my own home.  I love my own home.  Why would I want to leave it? State coffers? HA!  I don't buy Maine cigarettes anymore, so therefore, I am not paying into the state coffers.  But this smoking ban is outrageous.  Business owners should be able to decide what they want to do with their business.  NOT the state!

(you get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?!)

[Little Bill]

I was at the Market Basket in Rochester, NH today, all of the Maine plates, loading up on Butts and Beer and every thing untaxed in Maine, it sucks to live in a slave state.

[Seajay]

Yeah ... this the beginning of the end of the tavern as an American institution.

Oh,sure, we can stay at home, visit with like minded people, etc etc. But nothing will replace the tavern. A private place, open to the public, where mind altering drugs were dispensed for cash. A place where interesting behavior could be observed (more so than "Friends" or "Raymond"),interesting conversation could be had (more so than "Fox and Friends") and participated in if so desired.

The health Nazis don't like this. This is emblematic of a bigger flaw in society - the desire to be safe, the desire to avoid risk! And most of the "Sheeple" go along with this because they want to be protected. The nanny state is really what they all want.

[SheLion]

I was at the Market Basket in Rochester, NH today, all of the Maine plates, loading up on Butts and Beer and every thing untaxed in Maine, it sucks to live in a slave state.

Well, good for NH! They are reaping the money the jerks at the state house could have had! I say GO FOR IT MAINERS!

It' all about this:

 Maine Healthy Partnerships is CHOKING Maine's Economy!!!

[Little Bill]

You obviously haven't lived in a slave state, like Maine or Mass, Nanny sez and Sheeple do.

[SheLion]

The health Nazis don't like this. This is emblematic of a bigger flaw in society - the desire to be safe, the desire to avoid risk! And most of the "Sheeple" go along with this because they want to be protected. The nanny state is really what they all want.

Since you can't drink and drive, ever wonder why there are parking lots at bars????

[Little Bill]

I have lived on the Mass, NH boarder for 20 years, I haven't paid sales tax on anything for 20 years, except cars, as John F'n Kerry would say, F'em.