EMMITSBURG,
Md. – Most afternoons, a group of women would enjoy
lunch at the Ott House in Emmitsburg. They would sit, play
Keno and chain smoke, recalls Robert Ott, co-owner of the
Ott House. “Once the smoking ban went into effect, we
haven’t seen them since.”
Restaurants
and bars are noticing a decline in business since the Maryland
Clean Indoor Act took effect Feb. 1. The smoking ban, as
it is often called, bans smoking in all public places, including
restaurants and bars.
Business
owners in the town of Emmitsburg notice an even greater
decline. Only one mile separates them from Pennsylvania,
where there is no smoking ban.
Larry
Shriner, owner of One More Tavern in Emmitsburg, recognized
a negative impact. A small establishment, One More Tavern
serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and 95 percent of its
patrons are smokers. “People are coming in, they just
aren’t staying as long,” said Shriner. “They
are not buying a third and fourth round.”
One
More Tavern, known for having the lowest-priced beer in
town, is looking to raise prices just to meet the bottom
line. Shriner has lost customers to Dave and Jane’s
Crabhouse and the Four Seasons in Fairfield, Pa.
“We
have shut bands down early since they are playing only to
the employees; it’s been so slow at night,”
said Susan Glass, co-owner of The Ott House. She does admit
that it is a bit early to determine if the decrease in business
is due to the smoking ban or the economic slump, although
she believes it to be a combination.
The
effect does not seem to be as great in Thurmont. Vickie
Grinder, general manager of The Cozy Restaurant, doesn’t
see a difference after the ban.
“January
and February are difficult months in the hospitality industry
as it is. As far as the smoking ban, I do not feel it has
affected our business,” Grinder said.
The
Cozy Restaurant is unique in that during the warmer months,
patrons can sit outside in the arboretum to eat, drink and
smoke. Grinder expects that it will be business as usual
when the arboretum opens.
Skipper
Misner, owner of the Thurmont Bar and Grill, thinks business
has stayed about the same. “We’ve naturally
had complaints from patrons, but in a few months, they will
get used to it. I have heard the ban has hurt others.”
Owners
are all in agreement that other issues have arisen as a
result of the smoking ban. Crowds of smoking patrons tend
to gather around the entrances which can be intimidating
to newcomers. They worry that non-smokers will not want
to walk through the crowd of smokers to enter an establishment.
Littering
has increased. Even with proper receptacles in place, many
smokers continue to litter the ground with ashes and butts.
Legal
issues also concern owners. There is an increased worry
about maintaining vigilance on upholding drinking laws,
such as minors sneaking into establishments and patrons
taking their drinks outside with them when they smoke. Owners
are finding they will have to make accommodations to maintain
the laws, such as hiring additional employees to watch the
door.
“It’s
a mess,” Shriner said. “Every three days, I’m
outside sweeping up the cigarette butts even though there
is an ashtray right by the door. I’ve also decided
to ban patrons if they take their beer outside with them.”
Under
the act, business owners can file for extensions based on
hardship. Most, however, are hoping the situation will be
temporary and after smokers adjust to the ban, business
will resume.
The
situation is not entirely negative. The indoor air is cleaner,
there is less smoke residue on the ceilings, windows are
cleaner and you can see across the room. Patrons who previously
avoided establishments because of the smoky air can again
return. Still, owners and smoking patrons agree that the
smoking ban was a loss for citizens’ rights. They
believe it is more a rights issue than a health issue.
“This
is banning a legal product. If the government can do this
to you, what’s next?” Grinder said.
“It’s
taking people’s rights away. They just keep taking
and taking and taking,” Misner said. He quit smoking
in 1989.
