Kanawha Smoking Ban Impacting Bars' Business
Kanawha Smoking Ban Impacting Bars' Business Save Email Print
Posted: 10:49 PM Sep 8, 2008
 Last Updated: 10:49 PM Sep 8, 2008
 Reporter: Will Jones
Email Address: will.jones@wsaz.com
35 comments
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KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – No smoking, no business – Kanawha County bar owners said they have the numbers to prove it.

They blame the economic slide on an extended smoking ban, which went into effect on July 1, forbidding smoking in bars and gambling parlors.

"It's not just an inconvenience," said Greg White of the Nitro Moose Lodge. "It's crippling us. ...It has actually crippled everything we do."

White said the extended smoking ban is taking a toll on his bottom line.

But Brenda Isaac, an official with the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, said smoking in public establishments is harming others' health.

"It's never a goal to shut down businesses, but it's our goal to make businesses safe," she said.

White estimates that his establishment lost as much as $65,000 in August alone.

"We're considering all kinds of options right now," he said. "But when you don't have the dollars to make the bills ...there is very little option left. It's driving everybody out of business."

Some bar owners said they noticed a dip in business before the smoking ban went into effect. They said it might be because of the economy, but said they have discussed taking legal action against the health board. For its part, the health department reported that it has actually received more positive calls about the ban than negative ones.
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Posted by: missing the point on Nov 24, 2008 at 06:28 PM
Quite honestly I believe everyone writing this comments is missing the point of this ban. This ban is not to punish smokers, and not to glorify so called "righteous non-smokers" (which is a stupid nick name anyway because non-smokers are the ones that deal with stress on their own, and don't need a nicotine buzz to "relax" themselves, keeping themselves healthier and alive longer then smokers. this is not "righteous". Just smart.) This ban is to help protect people. Just being introduced to second hand smoke for a short amount of time can increase your risk of a heart attack by 25%. Secondhand smoke has been estimated to cause 46,000 (ranging from 22,700 to 69,600) deaths per year from heart disease in adult nonsmokers. And don't try to tell anyone that all these facts are myths. Smokers are taking a chunk of tobacco rolled in paper lighting it on fire and sucking in the smoke that comes from it. That's like putting a tube next to a bon fire and sucking all the smoke coming from it
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 10, 2008 at 02:05 PM
no good comes out of bars anyway. Nothing but DUI's and Murders. I say shut the stupid bars down all together.
Posted by: cin on Sep 10, 2008 at 10:58 AM
i look at it like this: if your not to good to drink beer then your not to good to smoke a cigarette, personally i prefer them together.
Posted by: Scott on Sep 10, 2008 at 09:00 AM
Well Mr. Anonymous, someone eating fatty foods DOES hurt others. Look at this state. Parents with poor diets pass their bad habits on to their children. Check the statistics - this is the first generation of children who might NOT OUTLIVE THEIR PARENTS!! Now tell me that doesn't hurt others.
Posted by: ann on Sep 10, 2008 at 07:41 AM
why dont they all quit smoking it makes you look old and ugly so solve the problem and quit.
Posted by: Tim on Sep 10, 2008 at 02:56 AM
I remember when it was legal to smoke in restaurants and bars and I seem to remember standing in line waiting to get a seat and when asked these so called self-riotous non-smokers would answer the question of smoking or nonsmoking with first available. If they were so concerned with their health at that time they should have said nonsmoking please. But no they figured that not waiting was more important than their own health well now that this is all in dispute they say we are glad that the ban went into effect well all of you that figured that your time was more important than your health shame on you hippo crates. I am a smoker and actually do agree with the ban in restaurants but not bars or establishments that require a person to be 18 or older to enter. This choice should be left up to the owners of the business not the county or state government agencies. Also employees should have a lounge inside to smoke out of the view of the general public that has a filtration system
Posted by: hootie on Sep 9, 2008 at 08:02 PM
Its all about money. Lets face it more poor people smoke than middle class or the wealthy. WV is one of the poorest states in the USA. When poor people get sick from years of smoking they dont have enough or any insurance so the government has to pay. Smoking is bad for your health, the government know this and these "rules" are just a way to keep the government from having to pay for smoking related illnesses, second to your freedom of choice.
Posted by: Rob on Sep 9, 2008 at 07:34 PM
Unless you are a fool or stupid you shouldn't even be here complaining if you are a non-smoker. If you go to a bar and drink then you may as well light up. Have you ever heard of cirrhosis? Smoke 'em if ya got 'em I say! And I am a non-smoker by the way.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 9, 2008 at 06:14 PM
well scott, when someone eating fatty foods starts hurting people other than the people doing the eating then maybe they will bad this too.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 9, 2008 at 06:13 PM
what are you talking about sherry, they haven't quit crying yet...
Posted by: confused american on Sep 9, 2008 at 04:59 PM
I am OK with the non smoking ordinance in restaurants. Kids and adults alike breath the same air. Bars are a different story. No. 1, to enter a bar you must be of legal age; meaning you must be legally old enough to make a legal decision. No. 2, Your decision is an adult decision. Simply put, do "I" choose to enter this building / establishment. If a bar or gaming center is licensed to operate in the state, they should have the option of being a "smoking facility" or "non smoking facility". If they want to have a stupid law; require business owners to post a sign out front to notify the patrons they are entering a smoking estiblishment. I enjoy going with my wife and friends, socializing, listening to music and enjoying a chilly beverage. One last thing. I am a non smoker and I truly believe this is a stupid law.
Posted by: Scott on Sep 9, 2008 at 04:36 PM
From my observations, I have noticed a significant decline in attendence at downtown Charleston bars since the ban has gone into effect. I'm sorry, but to me that equates to lost business. I've never heard a non-smoker tell me they wouldn't go into a bar because of the cigarette smoke. Hey - alcohol is bad for you too! Why not ban booze at bars too? Where will it end? The Health Department needs to focus on public education and disease prevention in the community, with an emphasis on those below the federal poverty line. Oh yes - fatty foods cause disease too. Let's ban all fast food establishments as well...
Posted by: Patty on Sep 9, 2008 at 04:13 PM
I think the healh department are not elected officals and I can't see how they can make laws. I think they are forgetting that people who smoke also VOTE! I guess if the people who don't smoke can stay at home! Did they ever think of that!
Posted by: Sherry on Sep 9, 2008 at 03:21 PM
Smokers should have never kept quite - this is alot like pray in schools students are no longer allowed that and look at our children today
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 9, 2008 at 12:46 PM
I can understand both sides on this issue. We have to face the facts tho people, this smoking ban is destroying our economy even more. Think about 80% of people that drink, smoke.Why go out and pay the outrages mark-up on alcohol and have to go outside in the weather and smoke a cigarette, when the American people can just sit at there homes and pay a lot less money and smoke wherever they please.If people can't stand going out to bars because of the smoke then that should be a sign...YOU DONT BELONG! I agree it isnt right for people that dont smoke to have to inhale 2nd hand smoke, but that doesnt make it fair for the people that do smoke to have to quit smoking in the bars we love.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 9, 2008 at 12:37 PM
This is not a decision to be left to government. Allow the bar-owners to decide. Make them put up clearly marked postings near the entrance to designate a bar as smoking or non-smoking. No one is forced to go into any establishment. The information necessary for someone to make a decision would be posted there and readily available. If you want to go in, do so. If not, then don't. Just as it is not a smoker's right to smoke in a non-smoking establishment, it is not the non-smoker's right to make all smoking establishments non-smoking. BTW...I don't smoke, and I don't own a bar.
Posted by: Joey on Sep 9, 2008 at 11:31 AM
How about an "Enter At Your Own Risk" sign at the entrance of each Bar?
Posted by: booger on Sep 9, 2008 at 11:21 AM
No one ever went to Charleston bars anyways. I know. I've been there every weekend. All over town.
Posted by: Funny on Sep 9, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Funny, the KCHD claims they've received more calls praising them than bad. Obviously they aren't reading the comments section of the Gazette or Daily Mail online, or else they'd realize just what a HUGE mistake they made enacting this ban. Not to mention the people that are praising them don't even go to bars anyway, so why they care if there is a ban on smoking in bars or not is beyond me. KCHD needs to realize what they did is stupid, helps no one, and hurts many small businesses. RESCIND THE BAN!
Posted by: Voter on Sep 9, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Pete, I bet the guy at the Moose did lose that much money. They are allowed to have more video lottery machines than the bars and gaming parlors. The folks that like to play these machines are going to Putnam County now. After the government sees how much lottery proceeds were lost at the end of the quarter (9/30) watch this ban go away. It's about money, not health.
Posted by: charleston on Sep 9, 2008 at 09:13 AM
Here we go again, would you smokers like some cheese with your wine.
Posted by: Charlie on Sep 9, 2008 at 08:42 AM
Better yet Pete what do you know?
Posted by: stan on Sep 9, 2008 at 08:11 AM
as a non-smoker i feel the people of kanawha county health dept.and other agencys have way overstepped their bounds on the smoking issue.this is just another right our officials have taken away from the people.this is supposed to be AMERICA LAND OF THE FREE i smoked for 30 yrs.because i chose to do so.i stopped because i chose to do so.who do you think you are to take away my choice?if you do not like cigarette smoke STAY HOME DONT GO OUTSIDE we live in the chemical valley anyway why dont you concern yourselves where you can earn your wage doing something to really benefit the people,obviously you people have the extra time to do so.AT TAXPAYERS EXPENSE.
Posted by: Sue on Sep 9, 2008 at 07:21 AM
I am not a smoker, however, if you want to make it illegal then do so. If not what gives an unelected group of officials the right to tell the supposedly free people what they can do and not do in an adult establishment. Post a sign, most people can read, and let the adults make their mind up on entering the bar or not...Like the one guy said "If I was that worried about my health I would go to the gym instead of the bar." Could not have been spoken better.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 9, 2008 at 07:08 AM
Phillip Morris' property is up for sale, hmmm wonder if they know something that we don't. I tell ya with all of the complaints of losing business because of the smoking ban there must be just a few drunk drivers left on the road. Kudo Health Dept. It appears as if you have managed to do something that the lawmakers have failed to do in the past. Get Drunks off of the road, Kudos...
Posted by: Justin on Sep 9, 2008 at 07:08 AM
Annie, you are right. If they taxed the smokers to the hilt, and I'm sure they will, lots of smokers would stop smoking, then they would have to start taxing other things because no revenue was coming in on cigarettes. Its a lose lose situation.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 9, 2008 at 06:31 AM
lets not stop with the smoking ban,lets ban alcohol,loud music,sex,bathing,speaking freely,aw heck lets just sit in our homes and just not move
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 9, 2008 at 06:09 AM
im am glad for the smoking band at somc at portsmouth now u can walk in there without getting knocked dow n by cigareet smoke i have alung disease i can not be around cigareet snoke but i also the vertans should have a place where they can meet and smoke they fought for our country i guess if u did not want to drink at smoking bar u can stay home but that is un fair to us non smokers have rights to god bless u all
Posted by: Tonda on Sep 9, 2008 at 06:06 AM
I thought we lived in a free country? Boy, was I wrong. What most people don't understand when they start taking right's away they won't stop. California has started a new law that doesn't allow fast food chains to sell to over weight people. It won't be long before that law will be here. We seem to play follow the leader with California. So seeing how WV is the #1 fattest state how will you like it when you can go to McDonald's anymore??
Posted by: Annie on Sep 9, 2008 at 02:43 AM
Move your bar where they can't touch it and watch them wonder there city tax went.We as free people have the right to do as we please. They have taken enought rights from us,we might as well give up the right to breath...
Posted by: Rob on Sep 9, 2008 at 02:26 AM
Now that the majority has spoken for the greater good, I cannot help but wonder where it all will end. Why not put it to a vote to eliminate tobacco business altogether? If the paying public demand safer, healthier environments when they go out to a dinner and a movie, then their collective vote entitles them to do just that. But why stop there? Why not vote to stop grocery stores, or any business, from selling packs and cartons of cigarettes? Better yet, put it to a vote wheather R.J. Reynolds and Phillip Morris are allowed to do business in the city, state, or country. The line in the sand has been drawn and the boundaries have been set, but theres nothing that says, that line cannot be moved or that boundary reset. This is one that got by the Founding Fathers. Seems they more worried about the immediate and tangible threat to public health, like guns. Just because people exercise their right to vote and elect something that seems to be for the greater good, does not make it right!
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 9, 2008 at 12:52 AM
i think it should be up to the bar owners wether or not they allow smoking. if the non-smokers don't want to enter the bar so be it. smokers should have rights to.
Posted by: oscar weidenheimer on Sep 9, 2008 at 12:38 AM
T.he government does not want us going to bars and enjoying ourselves. This is communist.Let the owners decide if they want to allow smoking. Post signs outdoors saying that it is a smoking facility. It's an adult's right to choose whether or not they would want to enter.
Posted by: Pete on Sep 8, 2008 at 11:47 PM
There's no doubt that the poor economic conditions have more to with any possible loss of business than the smoking ban. I really have to doubt that anyone lost $65,000 in August. That guy must've pretty much closed his doors for the month to lose that much. There are lots of areas with bans where businesses don't seem to suffer. What do they know that these guys don't?
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