Applebee's will ban smoking

Tribune Chronicle ^ | 05/11/04 | Staff, wire reports

[MissTargets]

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Applebee's restaurants in Niles and Boardman will be among those in Ohio that will go nonsmoking after a decision by Thomas and King, the nation's 11th-largest restaurant operator, the company announced Monday.

The policy at the Niles restaurant will take effect Monday and be implemented at all stores by month's end, the company said. Robert Holmes, 83, of Warren said he'd like to see other restaurants follow Applebee's lead in the no-smoking policy.

''Second-hand smoke is known to be bad for people,'' Holmes said Monday at the Eastwood Mall. ''Smoking spoils my dinner.''

Holmes, a former tobacco user, said he has eaten at Applebee's in Niles several times.

Besides Ohio, the smoking ban also will take effect at the franchise company's Applebee's and Johnny Carino's restaurants in Kentucky, Arizona, Pennsylvania and Indiana locations, the company said. Franchises owned by other operators would not be affected.

Mike Scanlon, Thomas and King's chairman and chief executive officer and vice-mayor of Lexington, was a vocal supporter of the city's indoor smoking ban that went into effect April 27. Scanlon said the timing of the company's action was coincidental.

''I can see both sides of the issue,'' Scanlon said. ''However, as a businessman, I need to listen to my customers and do what I believe is right for my business.

''While this decision will inconvenience a small percentage of our customers, I am certain that our new policy will attract many new customers who are seeking a smoke-free dining experience,'' he added.

Some of Thomas and King's nearly 80 restaurants already are smoke-free, including those in cities with municipal smoking bans such as Lexington and Tucson, Ariz. Scanlon said three restaurants the company has opened in the last year - one each in Arizona, Ohio and Kentucky - are smoke-free by choice.

Six months ago, the company banned smoking for employees. Scanlon said two of the company's nearly 6,000 workers quit over the issue.

Applebee's, based in Overland Park, Kansas, operates about one-third of its locations with the rest run as franchises.

[MissTargets]

There is a heavy population of smokers in Northeast Ohio. Looks like another restaurant I have to avoid

[ken5050]

And they're gonna take their "flame-broiled, hickory smoked" steaks off the menu, also..

[MissTargets]

smokers ping

[Thinkin' Gal]

Applebee's will bansmoking

That's just nuts. I hear that smoking affects the taste buds. If that's true, you'd think they'd roll out the red carpet for smokers, because the smokers would be less able to discern what the food really tastes like.

[normy]

I banned Applebees long ago due to their bad menu and food.

[newgeezer]

This is the way smoking bans are supposed to work, no government intervention on private property.

I wish them well.

[Izzy Dunne]

At least they're doing it of their own free will. The business consequences (good or bad) will be of their own making.

That's the way it should be.

I don't like the fumes that smoker spew out, so I would support them in this (if I liked the food).

[RedWing9]

You two hit it on the head. Their ban isn't going to stop me, a reformed smoker, from going to their restaurant.

I never liked smoking (mine or others) when I was eating anyways.

[kcvl]

I should be forced to inhale your smoke because?

[AppyPappy]

I should be forced to inhale your smoke because?

We should be forced to listen to your whiney hyperbole because? :)

[G.Mason]

"I banned Applebees long ago due to their bad menu and food."

That and the obnoxious, and juvinile waitresses.

[KeepUSfree]

Because you CHOSE to go to a eatery that allows smoking. Don't like it - don't go. And, BTW - I have NEVER smoked. The smell makes me nauseous. But, I will still defend anyones right to smoke. It's called freedom.
No, you don't have the right to force everybody else to comply with your personal preferences. I may not like your shampoo. Maybe the trees in your yard give me allergies....can I cut them all down???

[tahiti]

"This is the way smoking bans are supposed to work, no government intervention on private property."

I agree, but it works both ways.

The Applebee's exec is a hypocrite and incongruent.

"Mike Scanlon, Thomas and King's chairman and chief executive officer and vice-mayor of Lexington, was a vocal supporter of the city's indoor smoking ban that went into effect April 27."

"Scanlon said. ''However, as a businessman, I need to listen to my customers and do what I believe is right for my business."

Why can't other businessmen do what they believe is right for their business by allowing smoking on their private property business, Mr. Scanlon?

[kcvl]

My "whiney hyperbole" never caused anyone to be sick. If you want to smoke fine just don't FORCE me to inhale your habit. I'm sure that Applebee's will find many more customers, who avoided inhaling your smoke, by avoiding eating there, to take your place .

[G.Mason]

"I should be forced to inhale your smoke because?"

You are right.

I hereby appologize for the gun, and you are free to go on about your business.

BTW ... here's your wallet back.

[kcvl]

Then why are you all whining about the decision made by Applebee's? Do you think it is your "RIGHT" to blow smoke in someone's face? That's why many of us do stay away from places who allow people to smoke. If any of you want to suck on a cancer stick go ahead. Besides burning your vocal chords to a crisp and sounding like a frog it's not a pretty sight to die trying to gasp for air.

[cupcakes]

I noticed that too and it is why he isn't getting full kudos from me. Hypocrit is absolutely right on!

[kcvl]

You are comparing owning a gun to smoking? ROFLOL!

[cupcakes]

Come on now, many restaurants really do a good job of keeping the air seperated(at least so your can't smell it). The few times I've been in an Applebee's that allow smoking, I've not smelt the fumes. That said, I support a private business' decision to not have smoking in their restaurant, but like someone else pointed out Mr. Scanlon is a hypocrit since he does not support businesses making the same decision for themselves in Lexington.
That said, Cracker Barrel is the absolute worse for their smoking vs non smoking sections. I can smell the smoke from the smoking section every time in that place--it is the worse.