Bar Owner Takes Issue With Proposed Smoking Ordinance
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Daniel [email protected]
A law in Indiana that would keep smokers from lighting up in bars and restaurants across the Hoosier state overcame a major obstacle last week.
The bill, which would exempt casinos, passed through committee Wednesday by a vote of 7-5 and will move on to a second reading on the State House floor.[[In-content Ad]]The bill is endorsed by such groups as the AARP and the Indiana Chamber Of Commerce.
The bill is not being met with as much praise by one local bar owner.
"I think it'd hurt my business a lot personally," said Rex's Rendezvous owner Robin Watters. "(State government) keeps trying to run us out of business. I've been in business for 32 years and it seems like they keep trying to come up with ways to hurt business."
Watters estimated that about 65 percent of his patrons smoke.
"You see what happened in Fort Wayne when they put in a smoking ban. They've had around 20 taverns close because of it," said Watters.
Beside Rex's, the ban would affect places like the Time Out Inn, Downtown and Mad Anthony's Lake City Tap House.
It would also affect chain restaurants like Bennigan's and Applebee's that have smoking sections.
The possible ban won't affect some places.
Restaurants like Noa Noa and Cerulean already are non-smoking establishments.
A law in Indiana that would keep smokers from lighting up in bars and restaurants across the Hoosier state overcame a major obstacle last week.
The bill, which would exempt casinos, passed through committee Wednesday by a vote of 7-5 and will move on to a second reading on the State House floor.[[In-content Ad]]The bill is endorsed by such groups as the AARP and the Indiana Chamber Of Commerce.
The bill is not being met with as much praise by one local bar owner.
"I think it'd hurt my business a lot personally," said Rex's Rendezvous owner Robin Watters. "(State government) keeps trying to run us out of business. I've been in business for 32 years and it seems like they keep trying to come up with ways to hurt business."
Watters estimated that about 65 percent of his patrons smoke.
"You see what happened in Fort Wayne when they put in a smoking ban. They've had around 20 taverns close because of it," said Watters.
Beside Rex's, the ban would affect places like the Time Out Inn, Downtown and Mad Anthony's Lake City Tap House.
It would also affect chain restaurants like Bennigan's and Applebee's that have smoking sections.
The possible ban won't affect some places.
Restaurants like Noa Noa and Cerulean already are non-smoking establishments.
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