The Observation Deck

I thought it might be nice to do a survey about bars in 100% compliance with the No Smoking Ban. This could be used in a future article in the Observer.

Rush Inn

Johnny Malloys



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I've been out more the past 2 weeks and found Melt, Crazy Rita's, the Drink Cafe and Harry Buffalo to be free and clear of smoke.

OK so its off subject, but I was wondering if the Teachers Lounge at the High School is smoke free ?

yeah the whole property is smoke free. you can't have any tabacco products on the property. but you can always catch teachers and janitors taking a smoke break outside of the pool..right across the street.. where the property ends. that's just during the day.. quite entertaining

Ivor Karabatkovic wrote:yeah the whole property is smoke free. you can't have any tabacco products on the property. but you can always catch teachers and janitors taking a smoke break outside of the pool..right across the street.. where the property ends. that's just during the day.. quite entertaining

This is why they are called teachers, they can "teach" the kids how to smoke responsibly.

It is funny, in my day the corners were filled with smoking teens, now it is smoking teachers.

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Some could be the same individuals in both cases.

Shawn Juris wrote:Some could be the same individuals in both cases.

Shawn

Back when I was a kid the high school gave us smoking areas. Nevermind that we were too young to legally buy cigarettes, never mind that the harm was known. Yep it was a different era for sure.

I am sure some of those students that the schools helped to hook are still smoking.

Back on topic.

bela dubby

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Jim O'Bryan wrote:

Shawn Juris wrote:Some could be the same individuals in both cases.

Shawn

Back when I was a kid the high school gave us smoking areas. Nevermind that we were too young to legally buy cigarettes, never mind that the harm was known. Yep it was a different era for sure.

I am sure some of those students that the schools helped to hook are still smoking.

Back on topic.

bela dubby

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Back when you were a kid, news anchors would pause in live broadcasts or while interviewing a person to take a puff! Surely a very different era.

Back on topic...well, I will be at Merry Arts tomorrow so I will report back then. As of last time at Pug Mahones, they were not apparently compliant.

yeah the whole property is smoke free. you can't have any tabacco products on the property. but you can always catch teachers and janitors taking a smoke break outside of the pool..right across the street.. where the property ends. that's just during the day.. quite entertaining

Which makes for a nice match with the students on the way to and from school on Franklin. I wonder if there are any crossover moments where teachers AND students share the same smoking corners? An "I have a dream..." moment if I ever heard it.

I have heard that Panini's at the Riviera was one of the smokiest (if that's a word).

Shawn Juris wrote:I have heard that Panini's at the Riviera was one of the smokiest (if that's a word).

All

While it is refreshing that we are collecting this information, it would be my hope that we publish and advertise the bars that actually comply, and we ignore those that do not.

It came to my attention at a meeting of bar and tavern owners I had last week, that those that comply are being hurt financially by those that do not. While I would tend to think smoking is a choice, I was happy to see the state make everyone smoke free as opposed to the financial suicide of one city going smoke free, while neighboring communities benefited from bars trying to do the right thing.

FWIW


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Jim

And you've identified the First problem with this statute. Many have made the choice to accept the inevitable, bite the bullet, and do what they're eventually going to have to do. They should be recognized and commended for their voluntary compliance.

But, there are others, who will continue to take advantage of the situation arising from the government's failure to even begin to look at the regs which will be used for enforcement. It made absolutely no sense to give the statute an effective date with a wink and a nod, and "but not really".
As a result, the very problem that a statewide ban was going to avoid is now present. And the fallout will be economic damage to those who are voluntarily doing what others won't do until forced to (whenever that might be).

Jeff

I have to disagree with ignoring the non-compliant bars. I think if someone is planning a night out thinking they will find a smoke free establishment, it might be good to know not only who is compliant but who isn't. I was at Merry Arts for tacos last night. It was not smoke free at all. I talked to the bartender about it and she said what we have all heard, namely that when this is an actual system of holding people accountable, then they will comply. That said, she said she read a study where in areas where there was a clear expectation of no smoking (meaning, laws that work) bar and restaurant business increased 18%. Anyway, she sounded hopeful that there will be some enforcement soon but until then, prepare for some smoke with your tacos or burgers.

Those establishments not complying are thumbing their collective and nicotine stained noses at the vote of the people.

My pregnant daughter made the mistake of wandering into Pacers on Tuesday. Not only was it smoke filled but they still have ashtrays out. The no smoking sign (1) was posted but view obstructed. She and my son is law left.

West End Tavern is blessedly free of smoke. We took a party of fourteen there just before Christmas.

I'm with Jim - let's ferret these establishments out and help those who are law abiding.

While it seems that some are positioning for the attitude of ignoring the negative behavior to praise the positive, that doesn't help me in deciding if I will enjoy a trip to bar XYZ or not. What would it take to list the 57 Lakewood bars and indicate if they have gone smoke free or not. Just list the bar and a Yes, No, or Partial (with days and times listed).
The problem as I understand it is that supposedly bar that are abiding by the law are losing business. Let's work to true up those numbers. From other complaints I've heard people that don't want a smokey bar are in the bars that are allowing smoking. While they complain about it later, I'd guess that some money was spent while they were there. How many are going to Pacer's or Merry Arts or Panini's and suffering through it just to go home and believe that if it's true in one Lakewood bar it must be true in all of them? Educate the public on what's being offered and the results may surprise us.

Shawn, you said it exactly as I should have. I agree. An ongoing list that is updated would be great. In fact, it would be nice to put some heat on the bars that are out of compliance and put them on the spot about this. In fact, if I had the time (I don't!) this would make a nice story. Get out there and interview bar owners about compliance or non-compliance and why they chose to follow the law or not.

Does anyone have an alphabetical listing of all bars and restaurants in Lakewood? Could this be created as a sticky post that can be updated from time to time as new data is sent? Jim and others?