back to news Smokers, bar owners adjust to new ban May 2, 2010 Mitch Hotts The Macomb Daily Butts pile up outside doors On the morning after Michigan’s new smoking ban went into effect for bars and restaurants, some tavern owners saw first-hand evidence of the consequences. “We had a pile of cigarette butts out around the door that we had to sweep up from people smoking outside,” said Charles Towner, co-owner of Madison’s Pub in downtown Mount Clemens. That’s one of the reasons why Madison’s management constructed a small corral for smokers away from the exterior patio to give smokers a place to get their tobacco fix while enjoying an evening out on the town. Bar and restaurant managers throughout Macomb County on Sunday said they noticed a slight dip in business on Saturday night — the day the new state law prohibiting smoking in workplaces too effect. But they say it’s too early to say whether the ban will eat into the bottom line. “For us it wasn’t an issue,” said Robin Miserlian, a bartender at Madison’s. “We had one customer ask for a pack of matches and we had to remind him that if you want to smoke, you have to go outside. But that was it.” The law states smoking is not allowed in any facility that serves food — including outdoor patios — or has a liquor license. But the law is silent on how far away a smoker has to be from a business. As a result, some restaurant customers are greeted by a gauntlet of smokers as they approach an entranceway. At Shawn Patrick’s Pub in Roseville on Sunday afternoon, a server admonished a female customer who was standing on the outside of the patio while leaning over the railway into the patio area with a cigarette in hand. Restaurant managers, the primary enforcers of the new law, say they expect there will be a fast learning curve and the public will soon adjust to the changes. If customers believe managers are not enforcing the law, they can file a formal complaint with the Macomb County Health Department. Steve Gold, the county’s health department director, on Sunday night said he will have to wait until today to see if any complaints will be filed from over the weekend since the office is not staffed on weekends. Area cigar bars did not see an uptick in business even though the facilities are exempt from the law. But Mark Bratto, of Vibratto Premium Cigars in Mount Clemens, expects that to change in the winter. “Once the weather changes, I think we’ll see an increase,” he said. “I think they imposed it in the spring when bowling leagues are winding down. If they did it in the middle of bowling season, there’d be a revolt. There’s a method to the state’s madness.” The debate continued over the weekend as to whether the law discriminates against smokers, but smokers and non-smokers alike say the ban raises awareness of health issues and the dangers of second-hand smoke to the public. “I stopped smoking in January after smoking a pack and a half a day for 40 years,” said Edward “Steady Eddie” Peace, 56, of Detroit, a long-distance truck driver. “I used the patch and for me it was easy. Now I’m doing other healthy things like eating yogurt. I feel great.” Pam Reed of Warren agreed. “I think it’s awesome,” she said of the anti-smoking law. “The last thing you want when you sit down in a restaurant to eat is someone smoking next to you, smelling up the place. I think this was long overdue.” back to news Sponsored by the Macomb County Tobacco Prevention Coalition, Macomb County Health Department. 586.469.5373. Disclaimer