Knoxville restaurant tries to beat statewide smoking ban

Knoxville restaurant tries to beat statewide smoking ban

September 29, 2007

By KRISTYN HENTSCHEL
6 News Reporter 

KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- A statewide workplace smoking ban goes into effect Monday. One West Knoxville restaurant claims to have beaten the ban and still provide a place for smokers inside its doors, but is it legal?

Smokers will have to snuff out their butts inside their favorite restaurant.

"Health is a very important piece of public health legislation and we're very excited about this," said Ronnie Nease, Knox County's environmental health director.

Darrin Henry, general manager of Peerless restaurant, says the restaurant has a way to still ignite a smile on smokers' faces: "A smoking room that can be used for people 21 and up."

But health department officials aren't so sure they agree.

"That will not be allowed under the law," said Nease. "There can be no smoking rooms."

Health officials are quick to add their purpose is to help restaurants like Peerless comply with the ban, but say the law is the law.

"If they proceed and don't follow the rules that's laid out for them, there are some procedures that are laid out for us to enforce penalties," Nease said.

Meanwhile, 6 News talked to some non-smokers at Peerless. They said they think the room is a great idea and it doesn't bother them one bit. 

"I think that it's great that a restaurant has the capability to use that room for the purpose," said patron Shannon Milligan.