By Kathy Cook Hunter
To some people, it’s a bummer. To others, it’s a benefit. “It” is the Oregon Indoor Clean-Air Act, known as the smoke-free workplace law.
All indoor workplaces are now required to post a decal at doorways and employee entrances stating, “No smoking within 10 feet” and giving further explanation of the law, which also restricts smoking near windows and air-intake vents. The poster lists a phone number and Web site for reporting infractions or for information, and gives phone numbers to call for help in quitting smoking.
Passed by the Oregon Legislature in mid-2007 but not taking effect until the first day of 2009, the Clean-Air Act’s restrictions are probably most noticeable where alcohol is served – in lounges, restaurant bar areas and taverns. Owners and managers of some restaurants in Mt. Angel and Silverton say they are getting varied reactions from their customers.
Julie Franklin, co-owner with her husband of Pudge’s Pub in Silverton, has mixed feelings.
“I’m a smoker but I don’t like a smoky room,” Franklin said. At the same time, she is against the government, in this case the state, telling businesses and customers what to do regarding smoking.
“It can be a good thing,” she said. “We opened Oct. 1 as a non-smoking bar. We’ve had a lot of non-smokers like it because they could go home not smelling of smoke and a lot of smokers seem fine with it because at home they smoke outside anyway.”
“Oh, yes,” she added, “there’ve been some bad comments, but they’re mostly positive.”
At Tiny’s Tavern in Mt. Angel, bartender Cheryl Cook said some of her customers “are not too happy about it, especially the smokers. But the non-smokers are pleased, and people say maybe it will help them quit.”
Cook pointed out that to be allowed in a bar, customers must be 21 years of age.
“They are adults. But overall I think it will work out fine,” she said. “It just takes getting used to and it’s something we have to accept.”
Kira Langnese, marketing manager for Wooden Nickel and Mac’s, both in Silverton, said her employer, Glen Damewood, does not favor the law because “smoking and gambling go together. He feels it will affect the lottery (ticket sales) and people who come in and smoke at the bar.” However, Langnese says many customers are concerned about smoke and haven’t come in to the businesses because it’s smoky.
“But we’ve had a huge makeover at the Silverton Wooden Nickel,” she said. “We’ve cleaned the walls, scrubbing from the ceiling on down, and Mac’s, the same thing there.”
Wooden Nickel is becoming family friendly, allowing minors as soon as its license is up for renewal, possibly in January or February. In addition, Mac’s children-welcome area was expanded.
“We have made covered areas and will have heaters outside for our smokers,” Langnese said. “We hope to keep our loyal customers as well as bring in some new faces.”
At Silver Creek Lanes bowling alley, smoke-free since 2006, owners Tanya and Ryan Zwicker are happy with the new law.
“There’s been very little resistance, especially from families. People have thanked us,” said Tanya Zwicker. “We’ve maybe lost three bowlers from the leagues over smoking.”
“Previously there was heavy smoking but only in the bar area,” she said. Now that the Zwickers have cleaned and added colorful paint, the bar is a cheerful, bright place. Beer and wine is served only at the counter.
“Most people have been supportive,” Ryan Zwicker said. “They said they smoke outside at home.”
Towne House Restaurant and Lounge in Silverton, like Damewood’s businesses, has been refreshed.
“We repainted everything, everywhere,” said co-owner Kelly Miller. “We were closed five days and shampooed the carpets twice. We took out the wall between the lounge and the dining room, and put in two pool tables and a jukebox. We think it will help business because the dining room wasn’t being used as it was years ago.”
She said she and her brother, Rick Rolie, are in favor of the Clean-Air Act. “We both figure it will bring people in that wouldn’t have before because of the smoke.”
According to Marion County’s Tobacco Prevention & Education Program, “the law is designed to protect workers and customers from the many diseases associated with secondhand smoke” including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, reproductive effects and other health disorders.
“It is the business owner’s responsibility to gently remind them,” said a spokeswoman. “People think it’s more of an enforcement issue than it actually is.” She said citations are complaint driven; an owner could receive a $500 fine per infraction, up to $2,000 for a 30-day period.
Co-owner Ellen Morrison of Frank-N-Steins in Mt. Angel said she’s a nonsmoker but “the government is taking away one more thing. It is a matter of choice (to be in a bar with smokers), and we are losing our ability to make individual choices.”
“Our location on main street prevents us from having access to an open area; 10 feet away would be in the middle of the street. Some smokers are mad and say, ‘Who has the right to tell me where and when I can smoke?’”
“Smoking, drinking and gambling go together,” she said. “I really think Oregon will be financially hurt. And how do we know someone won’t have a vendetta against us? It’s a Big Brother thing.”
