Knoxville restaurants prepare for smoking ban to become law

Knoxville restaurants prepare for smoking ban to become law

June 1, 2007

By AMELIA DANIELS
6 News Reporter

KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- Despite opposition from tobacco lobbyists, a bill banning smoking in most workplaces is on its way to becoming law. Now Knoxville restaurants are preparing for the change.     

All the bill needs is Gov. Bredesen's signature, and he's expected to sign it.

Often the first question you're asked when you enter a restaurant is, "Would you prefer smoking or non?" 

But by October 1, your options may be, "Non-smoking or non-smoking?"

The Non-Smoker Protection Act bans smoking in workplaces, including restaurants, but there are several exceptions.

Smoking is still permitted in bars, if the bar serves a crowd that is 21-years-old and up.     

Establishments that have a physically separated and independently ventilated area do not have to ban smoking in that area.

Smoking is permitted in open-air spaces, like a restaurant patio, so long as tobacco smoke is not reasonably expected to enter areas where smoking is prohibited.  

Restaurant owners have a big decision to make. Do they want to turn smokers away all-together or confine them to those outdoor patios?

The owners are required to post "No-Smoking" signs and remove all the ashtrays from the tables.

If someone violates the ban and lights up, the owner is required by the law to tell them it's not permitted and ask them to stop smoking immediately.

"It's not going to be fun at all. I would say 80 percent of the patrons of this bar are smokers so it's going to be difficult telling people," says Sarah Long, a bartender at Preservation Pub in Market Square.

She says they'll probably continue to restrict access to 21 and up after a certain time so patrons can keep on puffing at night.

"It is a very family oriented bar. It's a pub. So you know, people are going to come in here of all ages until that cut-off time," Long says.

MacLeods will do the same thing: no smoking during the day, not until it's 21 and up will people be able to light up.     

That is just fine with Brandy Southard. She says, "I've worked in restaurants for six years now and it really bothers my allergies, all of the smoke. So I'm totally for it."

Smoking is permitted in hotel and motel rooms where it is designated. Tobacco shops and cigar bars are two more exceptions to the law.

Nor does it apply to private clubs, residences or cars, unless they are being used commercially, such as for a daycare.

Violating this law is a misdemeanor offense. Offenders will have to pay a fine, ranging from $50-$350.     

Between now and October 1 when the ban goes into effect, the Department of Health and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development will work to educate the public and business owners about the law.