Story Published:
Jan 5, 2006 at 10:59 AM PST
Story Updated:
Aug 31, 2006 at 1:10 AM PST
CLARKSTON, WASH. - Washington smokers facing a ban on
lighting up in bars and restaurants are taking their habit - and
money - to Idaho.
"I've had regular clientele tell me right to my face they're
going to Idaho to smoke," Tony Salerno, owner of Hogan's in
Clarkston, told the Lewiston Tribune.
Washington voters approved Initiative 901 in November, which
bans smoking within 25 feet of doorways, windows and air intakes of
public places and workplaces. It took effect Dec. 8.
That has left some establishments in Washington near the Idaho
border having to compete with bars and restaurants in Idaho that
allow smoking.
Salerno measured out a spot where people could stand and smoke,
but that caused the sidewalk to be littered with cigarette butts
and garbage. He said lunch and dinner crowds haven't increased
enough to replace patrons that went to Idaho. Now he's trying to
bring in more customers with music on additional nights.
"Trying to survive on one good night out of six isn't going to
cut it," he said.
Smitty's Barrel had to let go of four employees, said manager
Kelleigh Fowler.
"We're almost going out of business, it's been so bad," she
said. "Our biggest money night is New Year's Eve, and we had 10
people in here and did less than $300 in business from opening to
close."
Clarkston Police Chief Joel Hastings said the department has
received some complaints about smokers in illegal areas, and
officers did find people smoking in one tavern. The business owner
was given a warning.
Despite the ban, some businesses are doing fine.
Station 3, which serves lunch and dinner and has some gambling,
has made up for disappearing smokers with people coming to eat who
wouldn't have entered before the ban.
"We have a good reputation for our food, and it's saved us,"
said owner Tom Scher.
But Scher said the anti-smoking law is too broad and could put
some bars and restaurants out of business.
Fowler said she wrote a letter, which has been signed by patrons
of Smitty's and other taverns, and plans to send it to state
representatives and senators requesting that the law be modified.
If that results in any action, though, she said it might not be in
time to help Smitty's.
"We could be closed in three months," she said. "You never
know."
