new Tennessee anti-smoking law

[memphisvol]

Flying Saucer, Blue Monkey have banned anyone under 21 to continue to allow smoking. I am not sure about any Cooper-Young establishments, but I imagine that Celtic Crossing might (but they do have great outdoor seating).

What are your thoughts? My thoughts are that I was in the initial planning stages of investing in a new franchise in Memphis (had a great location picked out and the concept is successful elsewhere), but the business is half bar/half food, and is usually very popular among 18-21 year olds. I am thinking about putting this on old now.

My thoughts are that at least in downtown and midtown the smoking ban will be financially detrimental to the establishments that choose to go to smoke free.

[tennreb]

Flying Saucer, Blue Monkey have banned anyone under 21 to continue to allow smoking. I am not sure about any Cooper-Young establishments, but I imagine that Celtic Crossing might (but they do have great outdoor seating).

What are your thoughts? My thoughts are that I was in the initial planning stages of investing in a new franchise in Memphis (had a great location picked out and the concept is successful elsewhere), but the business is half bar/half food, and is usually very popular among 18-21 year olds. I am thinking about putting this on old now.

My thoughts are that at least in downtown and midtown the smoking ban will be financially detrimental to the establishments that choose to go to smoke free.

[PCGrad02]

Quite possibly the only complaint I have with the dining scene in this town has been the fact that one could still smoke in restaurants and bars. Moving down here from Connecticut, where smoking has been banned for a while now, my wife and I were saddened to find that we had to eat with smoke all around. Believe me, this will all die down in a few months, look on the bright side, at least you won't have to stand outside in 3 degree weather like people up north. As a former smoker myself, I can honestly say that I always hated when people at the table would light up while I was still eating, it's pretty nasty if you think about it. Bars I can understand, but you'll feel less hungover after a night out in a bar that isn't teeming with smoke. Many bars got variances allowing patrons to have drinks on the immediate sidewalks out front if they wished to smoke. I lived in an area with the two largest casinos in the country, if not the world, where smoking was still allowed due to tribal land. I can honestly say that everyone that said their establishments would lose customers to the casinos was proven wrong within weeks. People should be glad about the smoking ban, its better for the vast majority of the public, and children especially. Trust me, it'll be fine by this time next year.

[Clobber]

Not necessarily, I avoid bars that are smoky and I know a lot of people that do as well. The Flying Saucer is only going to allow smoking on the porch. The enclosed area will be smoke free. This is not something that is new. There are tons of states and cities that have done this already. Even close to home, Oxford and Starkville have gone smoke free totally (including 21 and up bars). Texas banned smoking everywhere years ago. The studies I have seen have not shown an impact in business. In fact, many areas have seen an increase in business since nonsmokers are more willing to go out. Only 1/5-1/4 of people out there smoke. It makes sense that catering to the large majority would be better for business than catering to a minority.

[ricky_the_great]

The smoking law i believe is a good thing.

In New York when they did it, it hardly effected the bars

and Here in West lafayette, IN ive actually gone to the bars more as a result of the law(being put in place just last year). Its a lot more enjoyable, I can see across the room, I dont leave smelling like smoke, and I dont get light headed from what I can only assume is oxygen deprivation. The people who enjoy smoking just step outside of the bar and smoke there for a bit, then come back in.

as for other places where the primary revenue is smoking such as the Hookah bar. They are allowed a special license to do so, thus their bar is not effected.

I believe in TN, the same thing will occur. Sure the smokers will grope and whine a bit, but everyone else... will be a little relieved.

the only problem i have with the law, is its govt enforced but thats just my conservative libertarian side speaking. Other than that it is healthier for the bar goers that choose not to smoke.