Businesses react one week after ban begins
Even during happy hour, smokers may not be too happy. That's because of Michigan's ban on smoking in the workplace that took effect May first. It's affecting bars and restaurants - and their smoking customers.
Lisa Pointe works at Dillinger's in downtown Traverse City, and knows smokers are angry. "A lot of people are griping about it but since it's happening everywhere, I think everyone understands the change in inevitable. "
This is the second weekend businesses will be watching the sales after the smoking ban went into effect. But so far - those we talked with saying the impact has been minimal. Doug Jordan at the Cherryland VFW Post says, "it seems the same people are showing up. The smokers are just stepping outside, theyr'e not even questioning it. So they've been well aware of it, that it's coming." Pointe agrees. "As everyone has to do it, people are coming in, having a beer, they're going outside for their cigarette, they're talking for five minutes, they're coming back in and order another beer."
One business owner who did not want to go on camera says he's concerned that if patrons are outside smoking - it means they're not inside eating, drinking, and spending money. But others aren't too concerned - saying everybody has a favorite place, and they'll keep coming back. Nancy Freund with the Lil' Bo Pub and Grille says, " I think they don't need to worry. People may initially be upset and not come in, but they'll come back. They just, they will. Guarantee it. "
She's so confident because Lil' Bo Pub and Grille is one businesses that went smoke-free even before the ban took effect. They started 2 and a half years ago, steadily chipping away at the hours they'd allow smoking. But they've been smoke free since 2009 - and say business hasn't slowed down. "By the time I got to be 100% smoke free people were already used to the fact that we were on our way there. So I don't think I really lost that many customers. But I gained a gazillion. "
The true test... May come six months from now. By then we'll be able to tell if winter weather keeps people from going outside to smoke - or if it keeps them from going out to the bars altogether.
Local health departments will be tasked with enforcing the smoking ban. Some casinos, cigar bars, and tobacco shops are exempt from the new law.
