On Emporia’s first weekend of the smoking ban that became official on Friday, local businesses reporting having no problems with the ban’s enforcement and customers complied with the new ban.
Emporia Fire Marshal Tom Andrews said this morning that no citations were issued over the weekend. He said there was some confusion on Friday when the ban went into effect but once people were informed that it was in effect they complied. Andrews said the department went around town a couple of weeks ago informing business owners of the ban.
Feelings around Emporia on the first full day of Emporia’s new smoking ban were mixed as smokers for the first time were required to take their smoking outside.
It was obvious Saturday that something was different as clusters of smokers huddled outside restaurants and bars to have their cigarettes. Inside the establishments, feelings were mixed and sometimes emotionally charged.
Bruff’s Bar & Grill manager Melissa Hager said she noticed an immediate difference when the establishment went smoke-free Friday. Hager hauled out a box full of ashtrays to show — ashtrays that are no longer needed. The ashtrays used to be on every table in Bruff’s, Hager said. She didn’t realize how much smoke was in the air until it wasn’t there anymore.
“It’s clear,” she said, adding that she could smell the food she was serving better in the absence of smoke.
Hager said there was no problem enforcing the smoking ban and she had received no complaints.
Hager admitted she is a smoker who has quit smoking off and on. She said the smoking ban doesn’t bother her.
“It’s just another excuse to quit,” she said.
Ronda Alberg of Wichita was eating at Bruff’s Saturday with some friends. She commented on the smoking ban.
“I think it’s awesome,” Alberg said, adding that her dining experience was better without smoke. “It’s for a very good cause health-wise too.”
Not everybody agrees.
Paul Lapping, a friend of Alberg’s who also was at Bruff’s Saturday, had a different view.
“I think you’re sacrificing rights and freedom,” Lapping said, adding that he is a non-smoker.
Across town at S&S Café, several people’s views were very strongly opposed to Emporia’s new smoking ban. However, customers complied.
“I don’t smoke, but I think there’s too much government in our lives,” Ron Williams of Emporia said.
Williams said he served in the military and fought for freedom and a smoking ban chips away at some of those freedoms. Williams added that he goes to a lot of places that are both smoking and non-smoking and it’s a person’s choice to go or not to go to those places.
“That’s our choice if we don’t want to eat there,” he said.
driveonby (anonymous) says...
Cutting edge reporting once again. Checked at TWO restaurants. WOW! Did you happen to check the VFW or ANY bingo places or ANY taverns or bars? I feel a Pulitzer coming for this one! Rather like sugar coating cat poop, wouldn't you say?
April 13, 2009 at 1:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
josiesbar (anonymous) says...
Please lord, don't let the Gazette quote anything I said on Friday...
April 13, 2009 at 2:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
workingmomma (anonymous) says...
We also ate at Bruff's on Saturday night and noticed a HUGE difference in the environment there. It was much more enjoyable to dine there and not smell like smoke when we left. I didn't care one way or the other about the smoking ban in bars, but where food is being served, that was a different opinion.
April 13, 2009 at 3:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
peanutbutter (anonymous) says...
"That’s our choice if we don’t want to eat there,” he said.
That's correct, but I do want to eat there, I just don't want to smell like an ash tray when I walk out. I am not saying don't smoke, just take it outside to do it. I have nothing against smokers, accept I think it's disgusting and I don't want it in my face or hair. It is your choice, but don't make me or may family suffer the conseqences too. What really irritates me is the people who can't afford to pay their electric, gas, water, groceries, clothe their kids, etc. But then they can sure buy those cigarettes, I know that's a whole different topic, but maybe this can open some eyes.
April 13, 2009 at 3:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Matt;
That's why you should have left earlier, like I did, It's not like I was drowning my sorrows or anything.
Steve
April 13, 2009 at 3:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
peanutbutter: You don't like those who can't pay their bills, but buy cigarrettes?
I get a little pi--ed off at PEOPLE WHO DON'T PAY MINE & TELL ME HOW TO ACT ON MY PRIVATE PROPERTY.
Steve
April 13, 2009 at 3:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mmstormont (anonymous) says...
"Please lord, don't let the Gazette quote anything I said on Friday..."
Lol, Matt. :) I wish I could have been a fly on the wall...
But hey, you fought a good fight and you should be proud of that.
April 13, 2009 at 3:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
peanutbutter (anonymous) says...
Well, Steve, if you have private property, then apparently, you pay your bills and I am not referring to you.
April 13, 2009 at 3:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
OutsiderJ (anonymous) says...
peanutbutter
Did you even read Steve's post. He was complaining about people that don't pay HIS bills telling him what to do. Not about him paying his bills. You see he pays his and is told what to do by people who don't
Your comment above this shows the true mentality of the ban supporters. Preference not health. Just like we all thought all along.
Sad that this is happening...
Sadder still that people like you in the IQ 70 crowd feel the need to make uniformed social commentary.
April 13, 2009 at 3:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ratdog (anonymous) says...
I it ironic that on the day of the vote my eyes were burning from all the smoke in the air and when I went to Bruffs to eat that evening the air was completely clear. That illustrated the smoking ban's needless intervention into private lives.
April 13, 2009 at 4:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
brokenarrow (anonymous) says...
We, also, were at Bruff's Saturday night - what an enjoyable dining experience without the smoke. After all the comments, can't say I am surprised about the re-count. Should have just scheduled it right away Friday afternoon and been done with it. . . . but then would have missed all the comments in the articles today!!!
April 13, 2009 at 4:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
generalsn (anonymous) says...
Many small neighborhood bars here in Chicago are quietly ignoring the Illinois ban. The only noise is from neighbors of bars that comply.
April 13, 2009 at 5:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
peanutbutter (anonymous) says...
"Sadder still that people like you in the IQ 70 crowd feel the need to make uniformed social commentary."
"People like me in the IQ 70 crowd", wow. . . what a comment, I will have you know that I have an education, a couple of college degrees and a decent paying job.
(I am not sure that "Sadder" is even a word?)
I don't really care much for politics, but according to you, my "pea sized brain" probably couldn't handle it anyway. I have come to the reality that I live in a city where this kind of sh*t happens and I deal with it. If you don't like it, leave.
April 13, 2009 at 5:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chuck (anonymous) says...
Why is it that smokers consider the whole world one big ashtray? Cigarette butts are litter and should be disposed of appropriately. If you smoke them please be responsible for their disposal. The sidewalks won't be littered because of the new ordinance but because of smokers who don't care what the sidewalks look like.
April 13, 2009 at 8:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dalelinn (Dale Linn) says...
I think I'm beginning to see why it's important to keep women working as they get older. If she can't tell her husband that there'll be no smoking in the front room, she turns to attacking the rights of everyone else. Would someone please find something for these ladies to do before we lose something else?............please?
April 13, 2009 at 9:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
runt (anonymous) says...
chuck- Not every smoker thinks the world is an ashtray! I must have missed the recepticles that I thought the city was going to provide. I also saw no ashtrays on the street corner for a person to put the cig. out. They can't walk back inside until they put it out. Maybe they could throw them out at wendy's.
April 13, 2009 at 9:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justamarine (anonymous) says...
If the city wont pay to have ash cans put out in front of businesses or pay to keep the sidewalks clean. Do what they do in the south, they take trustees from jail in their orange outfits with one or two deputies and they police the streets.
It cost little to no money, the jailbird gets fresh air,and the streets are cleaner. Saving Emporia Tax dollars.
April 13, 2009 at 9:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justamarine (anonymous) says...
And you can start with using Crackinsack, since he was into this smoking ban maybe he will volunteer his time to help keep Emopria beautiful, if the deputies are too busy
April 13, 2009 at 9:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chuck (anonymous) says...
I apologize for stereotyping all smokers as litterers. I do have friends who smoke and properly dispose of their cigarette butts. They put them out and carry them until they can be put in the trash. A cigarette won't start a fire if it is completely out. And why should the city provide ashtrays? And why should we pay to have prisoners clean up our streets? If people didn't litter (any litter not just cigarette butts) we wouldn't have to use taxpayer dollars to pick them up. It's that simple. And another thing. Have you ever noticed a smoker holding their cigarette out the window on a really hot or cold day? If the smoke is so wonderful why don't they keep it inside the car? And what is wrong with using the ashtray in the car? I could make a lot of money placeing bets on whether a person smoking in a car will throw the butt out the window. Most of the time the cigarette butt will come flying out of the car. Oh yea, they cause fires too. Who pays for the damage and the cost to put out fires caused by "careless" smoking (actually all smoking is careless)? The smoker? The tobacco companies? Nope. It is you and I.
April 13, 2009 at 9:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justamarine (anonymous) says...
Chuck-
Who is going to supply the ash cans then? The city wanted this ban,I know just let the individual buisness owner take care of that, they were until the customer had to go outside,now it should fall on the city to take care of.
New cars don't have ashtrays or cigarette lighters,so the window is open to get rid of the ashes chuck. And why not use the jailbirds, they are sucking up tax dollars just sitting there, I say put them to work.
April 13, 2009 at 9:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
runt (anonymous) says...
I think since the CAE got grant money they should use it to buy the ash cans to beautify emporia!!!
April 13, 2009 at 10:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justamarine (anonymous) says...
That will be neat, to have an ash can in front of every single business in Emporia. Emporia's new motto (Come on downtown and check out our cans)
April 13, 2009 at 10:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
runt (anonymous) says...
I like that motto!
April 13, 2009 at 10:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justamarine (anonymous) says...
Or, Come downtown and check out our ash.
April 13, 2009 at 10:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
runt (anonymous) says...
I like the other one better.
April 13, 2009 at 10:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justamarine (anonymous) says...
Me too, but the wife threw that one in
April 13, 2009 at 10:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
runt (anonymous) says...
My husband is a can fan.
April 13, 2009 at 10:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justamarine (anonymous) says...
A person visiting Emporia might get mixed signals with all the ash cans in front of all the businesses though. The CAE wont want to fund the ash cans with the grant money either.Probably best if we just let the jailbirds clean it up,they are sucking up tax dollars just sitting there anyway.
It would show kids that crime doesn't pay and the crime rate would go down. If you think about it, who would want to be seen in an orange outfit cleaning the streets of Emporia with a couple of deputies watching over you.The only thing it will cost is trash bags and the pick'em thingy's so they don't have to bend over.
April 13, 2009 at 10:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justamarine (anonymous) says...
Thomas Jefferson- Must of been thinking of Emporia, Ks. when he had these thoughts.
I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. ~ Thomas Jefferson
My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government. ~ Thomas Jefferson
April 13, 2009 at 11:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hottopics (anonymous) says...
Quote: "PEOPLE WHO DON'T PAY MINE & TELL ME HOW TO ACT ON MY PRIVATE PROPERTY."
I am right with you Steve. Makes me think about what starts with business owners may give others even crazier ideas with personal property owners. One problem leads to another, just like ash cans outside restaurants and clean up. BUT WAIT, its up to the BUSINESS OWNERS to clean it up since they OWN the place. Now there is adding insult to the injury.
April 14, 2009 at 12:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
PocketKings (anonymous) says...
Wow she really does own wendys, figures someone could be as hypocritical to say that smoking kills... When your serving food that kills too greasy french fries and greasy hamburgers! Way to go emporia, everyone who is worried about health on this issue and goes and eats fast food is a flat out hypocrit.
Both can and will kill you.
April 14, 2009 at 12:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
PocketKings (anonymous) says...
Its simply an issue of people who dont like the smoke cant make the decesion for themselves not to enter the restaurant.
Here it comes the fast FOOD BAN. IM VOTING YES! STOP THE KILLING!
April 14, 2009 at 12:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
PocketKings (anonymous) says...
Restaurant owners cannot serve fried or greasy food because it poses a health problem and can possibly lead to heart attacks and therefore it is a public health issue.
April 14, 2009 at 12:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
PocketKings (anonymous) says...
Just like smoking leads to cancer so its a public health issue. So we should do the same for fried foods and greasy foods TW, for example would be glad to serve you some greasy french fries that can cause one to get obese and have heart attacks. But then shes against smoking because it kills too. How CRAZY IS THAT!
Wow why should she worry about other peoples health when shes serving greasy food that causes heart problems and obesity?
Good Job, Hypocritical Emporia!
April 14, 2009 at 12:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mrbill (anonymous) says...
yes maybe you should have your weasle of a city manager get out and earn the big 3000 dollar raise he got he could pick up a few butts at that price and the commisioners who hire most all of the big jobs done here by out of state businesses yes you all should practice what they PREACH and shop emporia first now they are forcing you to act just the way they are hypocritical you should see all the emporia dollars being spent at BETO where people can still smoke if they want good going once again
April 14, 2009 at 6:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
josiesbar (anonymous) says...
mrbill,
I agree with what you're trying to say, at least I think I do. Anyways, a little punctuation goes a long way man.
April 14, 2009 at 1:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )