Smoking Ban Update

I've been out of the country for a month. I'm curious how the smoking ban is panning out now that the initial shock is over (and it's too hot to sit outside). How is it for restaurants? Are bars coping?

I missed the smoking ban overseas.

I noticed that Zena's has plastic chairs set up out front for their smoker's. Kinda funny... there's more people outside than inside most times. The bands are still staged inside however, which is good given the heat outside!

[Robin Garr]

I've been out of the country for a month. I'm curious how the smoking ban is panning out now that the initial shock is over (and it's too hot to sit outside). How is it for restaurants? Are bars coping?

I missed the smoking ban overseas.

You didn't go to Italy, evidently ... they have a nationwide restaurant smoking ban now, and to my amazement, it works.

There's been the requisite whining here, but no reports of closings, and I've noticed that BBC in St. Matthews is a MUCH more pleasant venue now - it used to be that you couldn't get through from the door to and from the non-smoking dining room without picking up a dose of smoke that would still be in your clothes when you got home.

The bad news is that there's still a cluster of addicts who stand around the main entrance huffin' and puffin'. It would be nice if management asked them to move it down a few feet, maybe gave 'em some ashtrays or something.

You didn't go to Italy, evidently.

That would be true. Lot's of smoking in Vienna. Heck, they even have Camel smoking kiosks in the Frankfurt airport. Not much smoking in South Africa, at least where I was. Didn't see much in Zambia until we went to a trendy restaurant and then everyone was smoking.

My hope in Louisville is that the practice will be so established by the time the lawsuit is litigated that it will have already become ingrained.

I had to go to a restaurant in New Albany today for a function. Walking in the door made me realize how glad I am that there is a smoking ban in Louisville, as I was immediately assaulted by the smoke upon entering.

I work in a building which houses a Subway Restaurant. Our building has been designated a non-smoking area, and we have a sign posted outside which says, "no smoking permitted anywhere on this property." Unfortunately, however, this does not prevent people from smoking near the entrance to our building. From what I understand, every building owner is able to determine how far away from the entrance the no-smoking area extends (for example, no smoking within 30 feet of the entrance). While we have tried to make it more comfortable for our clients (and ourselves) entering the building, there are people who totally disregard the no smoking signs. Subway has some tables in front of the building on the sidewalk. We placed "no smoking" stickers on the tables, but people removed the stickers and continue to smoke there, even when we approach them and tell them that we do not allow smoking there. I have called the Metro Health department, but they keep telling me that, as long as the smoke does not travel into the building, there is nothing they can do.
So, Robin, I also wish that people would respect the no-smoking zones in front of the entrances to buildings.

Even as a smoker, I am happy for the smoking bans. More often than not, when I travel, I always ask for non-smoking. I can't stand smoke as I am eating.

Since I am a Californian, I am used to not smoking in restaurants and bars. We have had the ban since 1998 or 1999.

- Carl

Charles W , when we were in South Africa 4 years ago they had a "separate room, separate ventilation" law. Most of the restaurants didn't want to go to that much trouble, so they were smoke free. It was great! I don't remember Frankfurt, but the Munich airport was a smoke pit in June. They did have one smoke free eating area, which is pretty progressive for Germany. We had lots of problems in Austria and Switzerland, too, although Switzerland has banned smoking from the trains.

I have a few coworkers that play in bands around town on the weekends and recently asked them how the crowds were since the ban started. They all have said the bars are packed and they have actually noticed and increase in attendance. Yeah!

If it is of any worth to say, i've been smoke-free since July 6th.

pretty funny, cause i was pretty strong for the smoker's camp.

the smoking ban helped, not being around smoke while out...

truly is more of a mind over matter thing though.



it's pretty amazing how much your olfactory senses come back after just the first few days.


i will say, that i didn't mind smelling my cigarette over sewage stench i occasionally smell on my way into work.


no good without the bad, eh?

Congrats to you Ethan...I hope you can keep it up...I "quit" on New Years cold turkey, and made it up until the middle of June (6 1/2 months). The stress of buying and selling a house and my crazy work schedule did me in... I'm sorry to say, I'm smoking again(much to Colleen's dismay and displeasure). And I must admit that food tasted a WHOLE LOT BETTER while I was a non-smoker. I'm well aware of the obvious health benefits and the expense of buying a pack every couple of days, but damn it man "I love my cigs". However I think the next time I'm serious about quitting I think I will be able to give them up for good. For all you non-smokers out there....You have no idea how hard it is to give up a very bad habit!

And a lot of us do know how hard it is.

Congratulations to Ethan! Foods really does taste different--and better. And Dan, do try again when you're ready. It really is worth it.