In dozens of states, Gary couldn’t light up before tucking into his meat-lover’s pizza, as he did at this Restaurant & Bar this week. But in North Carolina, the nation’s leading tobacco producer, limits on indoor smoking have lagged behind those in much of the country.
That changes Saturday, when smoking in restaurants and bars is banned in the state that is home to two major tobacco companies and where the golden leaf helped build Duke and Wake Forest universities.
“There’s smokers and there’s nonsmokers. We’ve gotten along in the past,” Richards, 52, said this week during a pre-meal smoke at the restaurant inside a former tobacco warehouse. “Why can’t I come in here and have my beer and a couple of slices of pizza and a cigarette?”
The dangers of secondhand smoke to employee health and complaints from patrons about the smell finally won out when the Legislature approved the ban in 2009 after years of failures.
“This law doesn’t tell anybody they shouldn’t smoke,” said state Rep. Hugh Holliman, a lung cancer survivor whose sister died of lung cancer. He led the charge for the legislation. “It’s saying nonsmokers should have the same right to breathe clean air.”
North Carolina is a relative latecomer to tobacco prohibitions in public places. North Carolina is at least the 29th state to ban smoking in restaurants and 24th for bars, according to the American Lung Association.
The new prohibitions represent a dramatic turn for a state that produces nearly half of the nation’s tobacco.
January 3rd, 2010 at 11:36 AM
A very interesting evolution in our society’s push for smoke-free dining. Sounds like a coup on the home turf of Big Tobacco.
I remember an old quote from Jack Benny…”give me golf clubs, fresh air, and a beautiful partner…and you can keep the golf clubs and fresh air.”
Here’s to having it ALL…great hobbies, beautiful partners, AND fresh air. Happy New Year!
January 3rd, 2010 at 11:57 AM
Yeah! Another step in the right direction, in my opinion. Noone is physically capable of savoring good food and drink when their senses are bombarded with cigarette smoke.
January 3rd, 2010 at 1:15 PM
I am not a smoker but let the companies decide for themselves. If you don’t like smoke, don’t eat there. 2nd had smoke to employees? Gimme a break. Many of them smoke already. Restraurant work will drive anyone to begin smoking too. So…..don’t allow patrons to smoke but employees open the back door and light up. Ironic, isn’t it?
January 4th, 2010 at 12:36 AM
I believe there is nothing worse than smelling cigarette smoke while trying to enjoy my meal. Here in California, we have had this law in effect for many years and as a result, I think it has reduced the number of restaurant workers that smoke.
January 4th, 2010 at 12:53 AM
It’s not like anyone is saying you can’t smoke. If you want to smoke, have at it…just don’t make the rest of us smoke too. It’s like saying everyone who wants to drink has the right to sit down next to you in a restaurant order their drink and pour liquor down your throat too. This concept is simple and I think it’s great that people are standing up for their right to breath clean air…. yet here we are still having this debate. Hmmmm
January 4th, 2010 at 2:28 PM
I moved from Dallas to Winston-Salem (the home of RJ Reynolds) in 2001. We were shocked at the time as to how many places you could freely smoke. We could not even go into a convenience store next to our childs elementary school without being bombarded by smoke as we entered. They would sell single cigarettes for 25 cents in a styrofoam cup on the counter. It was unbelievable! The interesting part was that all the people we spoke to, wanted it to stop. Then Marlboro enters into some pretty major lawsuits that required them to change their philosophies on business. It increased their sales! Shortly after that, the major cities like Dallas and New York began banning smoking in public places. Everyone began to panic thinking sales would drop because cigarette smokers would boycot. Guess what? Sales increased because now non-smokers who would not come to restaurants because of the smoke were coming out in mass numbers and smokers still needed to eat! Many restaurants would create heated and air conditioned areas for smokers to socialize while they smoked. It was a win/win for all. I think it has taken North Carolina a long time to see the right path, but Kudos to them for not being the last!
January 4th, 2010 at 8:25 PM
This is long overdue. Regardless if you are a smoker or nonsmoker, how can anyone enjoy a meal in stuffy, thick-aired room? If you want to smoke, go outside.
January 5th, 2010 at 9:19 AM
Hooray! Americans just gave up another right to the federal government. Thank God – because we sure can’t think for ourselves. I’m so happy that the government has decided whether or not a restaurant owner is allowed to serve smokers, decided that people cannot make their own decisions about whether they want to work in a smoke environment or not, decided that people cannot make their own decisions about if they want to dine in a smoke environment or not, decided that people needed to be punished for smoking by standing outside in the cold and the rain like cast outs to smoke, that once again “we the people” give up another one of our rights and there are people happy about it. It’s interesting, people are happy about the rights they lose when they are in agreement with the government but not when they disagree. When are you gonna get it – giving up a right is just that, plain and simple.
January 5th, 2010 at 9:28 AM
I’m with you Mary – I don’t understand it. The American public is so stupid and when they can’t do anything (like buy their own health insurance – lol) they will wonder how it happened. It’s funny, I can’t get some jobs because of my credit but look at our government – and they are going to tell me what’s best for me? Yep – the government’s going to protect me. They are going to make sure I don’t get lung cancer through second hand smoke, and if I do get cancer they are going to make sure I have Health Insurance to pay for it, they are going to make sure I don’t die on a motorcycle because they make me wear a helmet, they are going to make sure I don’t die in a car crash because they make me wear a seat betlt (which oh by the way they make money by fining me if I don’t comply), they soon will make sure only the criminals can get guns, they make sure some of the best medical technology and drugs in the world are not available or affordable in the United States – yep, they take care of me. I can’t wait to see what new kind of toilet paper I will be required to use one day save my ass. Wake Up America.
January 5th, 2010 at 9:40 AM
So Steve – guess you are saying the people who didn’t smoke never went out before! lmao … unbelievable the things will pull out to justify their actions.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:05 AM
What’s your New Years resolution? Mine is to quit smoking.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:28 AM
I’m with Steve. My husband and I would never go to a restaurant where we knew it was a possibility that our children would be forced to inhale second hand smoke. No matter how good the food or service was! Even more so, we respect the businesses that made that decision to change without being forced to by a law. They are the one’s that will benefit most. It does not discriminate against anyone. It protects the rights of everyone. Yes, you have the right to smoke, but where are you givien the right to impose harm on others due to your actions? Is it really to much to ask that you go smoke somewhere it will not harm others? You have the choice to smoke anywhere you want, while others, who do not want to be harmed by your actions, do not have that liberty?… Interesting!
January 5th, 2010 at 12:27 PM
The Children benefit the most!
Some restaurants are now adding a “smokers hut” for those who wish to smoke. They are not able to order food or drinks, but at least they are not outside. Its a good compromise. I personally don’t smoke, but can see the argument on both sides.
January 6th, 2010 at 11:39 AM
I’m a free market guy and feel there will always be unintended negative consequences every time the government steps in to regulate a business. That being said, smart operators – especially in casual dining have already made the change to non smoking. It will be interesting to see how it affects the bar business; unfortunately many are already struggling in this economy and the timing may not be good – less sales, less taxes, higher deficits, etc.
Several “hot button” social issues such as the non smoking movement, heathcare, and minimum wages have unique and significant affects on the restaurant business and require careful review before we march ahead for the “greater good”.
January 21st, 2010 at 8:23 AM
Funny, two weeks pass and now all you see and read in the news is how bad salt is for you. Really? This is the beginning of a long campaign to change public opinion and just like tabacco, transfats, menu labeling, etc. it will be successful. But where does it end? Taxing restaurants that sell too many burgers or too much wine or red meat; I bet caffeine and coffee aren’t too far off.
You often hear hospitality professionals say something like “people will always have to eat so there will always be a need for restaurants”. Well, I think that more and more customers will eat at home where they can prepare their meals anyway they like and even enjoy a glass of wine with dinner.
If you’re reading this, then it’s likely that you’re in the hospitaliity business and we need to defend it. Please take another look at the issues; while we can all agree that too much salt isn’t good for you, do we really need more government to make that decision for you?
February 4th, 2010 at 11:44 PM
There can be no debate that smoking stinks and is a killer. It is still surprising that NC has finally entered the 21st century!
February 17th, 2010 at 3:32 PM
I agree with Brandie, I felt bad for the kids who’s parents made them sit in smoking sections. And let’s be real there was never anyspecial divider that separated smoking and non, so the kids dealt with it any they sat. I smoke, but I am more than happy to walk outside and smoke. No problem. But I do think the restaurants should have had a say in it.
February 18th, 2010 at 3:45 PM
I’d like to hear what the restaurant owners say about this. They are concerned, and rightly so, that this will have an impact on profits. Any restaurant owners please let us know!