Eateries mark smoke-free year

Nowadays if a customer walks into a Bloomington Denny's and specifically requests a seat in the non-smoking or smoking section, General Manager Richard Frank asks the customer where they are visiting from. The surprised customers usually ask back in wonder how he could have known they were from out of town.\nFrank then patiently explains about the smoking ordinance that prohibits smoking in all Bloomington restaurants, an ordinance Bloomington natives have come to know over the past year. \nAug. 1 marked the one-year anniversary of this smoking ban for Bloomington and all of Monroe County, making it illegal to smoke inside a public building. The ban was originally passed to promote public health and decrease the threat of secondhand smoke for nonsmokers. For the most part, Bloomington residents seem to be accepting the smoke-free environments. According to a survey done by the Monroe Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Coalition, 89 percent of smoke-free businesses it surveyed said "the ordinance has no affect on their business's revenue or sales."\n"Initially it did (have an affect on business)," Frank said. "But now it's bounced back and people are getting used to it."\nJohn Byers, owner of Cloverleaf Family Restaurant, said his business has been up 5 percent since the smoking ban went into effect. For the few smokers he lost, he got back other customers who were unable to eat in the midst of secondhand smoke. \nScotty's Brewhouse owner Scott Wise said he was so pleased with his smoke-free restaurant that he voluntarily made his other restaurants in other cities smoke free.\nAfter a year of the smoking ban, the date is also fast approaching when customers will be unable to smoke in "private clubs that do not allow minors." Beginning Jan. 1, 2005, bars will go smoke-free as well, and not every Bloomington resident is excited about the upcoming change.\nLocal bars are working with the Monroe Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Coalition to prepare for that very reaction to the smoking ban in bars.\nJon Macy, of the Monroe County Prevention and Cessation Coalition, is currently involved in assisting local businesses during the transition toward a "smoke-free Bloomington."\n"We've had a range of responses from bar owners," Macy said. "Some are concerned and some are looking forward to it. They realize that the playing field will be level when everywhere will be smoke free."\nMacy said some bar owners are excited about going smoke-free because their equipment, such as big-screen TVs, will be able to last longer when not surrounded by smoke every night\nBar owners said they are also looking forward to providing a healthier environment for their workers. To help transition smoking employees, Macy said he is organizing on-site smoking cessation classes for any Bloomington business who invites them. This means that quitting experts will be sent to area restaurants and bars that have employees who want to quit smoking.\n"One benefit of ordinances like this in other towns has been that the number of people who quit smoking goes up because smoking becomes an inconvenience," Macy said.\nMacy is also involved in the promotion of what they are calling "smoke-free Bloomington." "I love smoke-free Bloomington" buttons have been made and signs heralding the healthier environment have been posted. \nIn late September, there will be a party to commemorate the one-year anniversary of smoke-free restaurants. Still in the planning stages, participating restaurants will give discounts to anyone who wears an "I love smoke-free Bloomington" button. After Jan. 1, Dave Kubiak, owner of the Bluebird, will offer $1 off to anyone who wears an "I love smoke-free Bloomington" button.\n-- Contact staff writer Kathlyn Von Rohr at kvonrohr@indiana.edu.