Some confusion surrounds Michigan’s new smoke-free law that goes into effect May 1 — especially among bar and restaurant owners.
“The state has stepped in and said, ‘We know more about the hospitality business than you do.’ Many of them are very upset,” said Andy Deloney, the Michigan Restaurant Association public affairs director.
Dennis R.J. Geppert/The Holland Sentinel Randy Smeenge smokes a cigarette while he waits for his turn to bowl Wednesday night at Century Lanes.
In December, Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed the bill that prohibits smoking in public places such as bars, restaurants, hotels and other businesses; gaming floors in Detroit casinos, cigar bars, tobacco specialty shops and one-person private offices are exempt.
Tribal casinos aren’t covered since state laws don’t apply to Native American land.
At Century Lanes in Holland, owner Phil Huffman has been working to accommodate his smoking clientele. About 30 percent of the Century Lanes league bowlers are smokers, Huffman estimates.
“This is very high on my radar,” Huffman said. “It’s the single most important thing on my radar right now, period.”
Huffman has been talking with bowling alley owners in states like California and New York, where similar bans are in place. Those owners report a one- to two-year lull in business following a ban.
“The No. 1 association with bowling is smoking,” Huffman said. “You’ve got to change a lot of mindsets. It’s not going to happen overnight.”
Huffman expect business to be down about 5 percent next year.
A lot of customers are confused about the specifics of the ban, Huffman said.
Confusion abounds
“There’s a lot of bad information out there,” he said. “Some say (smoking will be allowed) 25 feet from the door, some say off the property. Trust me, no one knows yet.”
Also, bowling culture can be very different than in traditional bars and restaurants. One big issue: bowling shoes can’t go outside.
“It’s a completely different animal — 25 feet, it may as well be 25 miles,” Huffman said.
Huffman has some proactive plans for managing the transition. He recently paid for Holland Hospital health officials to give regular customers a seminar on smoking succession.
One of those officials was Sara Armstrong, a registered nurse and health promotion educator with Holland Hospital.
Associating smoking with certain activities, like bowling or drinking, can be the biggest obstacle with quitting, Armstrong said.
“One of the positive side effects of this legislation, it’s a positive nudge to get them to quit,” Armstrong said.
Huffman also plans to clean up the 35,000 sq. feet bowling alley after the ban takes effect: carpet cleaning, cleaning ceiling tiles, painting.
“It’s a Herculean task,” he said.
Dave Jurgensen, owner of Curragh Irish Pub in Holland, said the law seems fair and shouldn’t cost him any business.
“They made it pretty broad so that everybody’s got to play by the same rules,” he said. “I think people will adapt.”
Jurgensen would like to help them adapt. He’s just not sure how to yet, or if he will be able to.
“We’re kinda looking at some things,” he said. “I’m not sure at this point what’s actually allowed. I don’t know if the Ottawa County 25 feet from a building entrance (regulation) applies or not.”
The Ottawa County regulation Jurgensen mentioned is a regulation implemented Jan. 1 2008.
The regulation, passed to protect employees from second hand smoke, banned smoking in workplaces and anywhere within 25 feet of a business entrance. The regulation did not include bars and restaurants.
Local and state health officials are working on the specifics of the new ban, including how it will effect the current county regulation and who will be responsible for smoking ban enforcement.
“Many answers will be available within the next month or two,” said Amy Oosterink, the Ottawa County Health Department’s smoke free indoor air regulation coordinator.
source: Capital News Service
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