Ohio has passed a law that will radically reduce the amount of smoking:
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/061108/apfn_eln_oh_issues_roundup.html?.v=1

I wonder how it will effect the Clubs many of us perform in the weekends?

One club in particular is filled with smoke by my last set...so, I'm pretty happy about it as my voice will probably last longer.

On the other hand, if the crowds shrink, then I'm screwed, perhaps...

Thoughts?

Bill in Dayton
www.billcorfield.com

[This message has been edited by Bill in Dayton (edited 11-08-2006).]

Most bars, elks, vfw, etc & blood & guts saloons & many restaurants here since the NJ bann in April are dead....its taking its toll little by little...for the better regarding health...but not $$$......
a few even have closed too. I feel bad for the mom & pop establishments man what a mess......& I dont smoke.
http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/Forum37/HTML/014266.html


[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 11-08-2006).]

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 11-08-2006).]

They enacted a smoking ban here in Florida a few years ago. After a little initial drop-off in business, things went back to exactly where it used to be. After all, people want to relax and dance and drink, and just because they can't smoke indoors, doesn't mean they want to stop dancing and drinking!!

Eventually, the clubs put in a little outside area the smokers can go to, and everyone is happy. The only problem might occur in border towns, where smokers don't have very far to drive to get to another state. Many, many corporations have enacted smoke free environments, and somehow they don't go out of business.

Just relax, and enjoy the clean air....

Update...

I called the area office of the American Cancer Society and asked them directly about private clubs.

The PR person explained that there is still some wording that has to be clarified with regard to Private clubs as they are not "open to the public."

She stated that the ACS will be participating in the special rules for these type clubs and that while she doesn't expect smoking to be banned in those places, she felt very confident that additional measures be required by law for such places to protect employees, guests, musicians, etc...

Hmmm...

Good, I like to see them ban drinking too

They can snack, have a glass of milk and listen to the music..

The smoking ban in Florida has seen crowds drop drastically. These places are having a tough go at it now. One thing that has happened is that they are hiring younger people with little or no experience waiting on tables etc. The effect is the customers are getting substandard treatment causing even more of a drop in business.

If I drive a few minutes I'm in Alabama where smoking is legal. The same type of establishments even with a smaller population area have much larger crowds.

I think that while smoking may not be a great thing at least for some people that these new non smoking laws are actually against the constitution. It is taking away the rights of the people whatever your personal views on smoking are.

I believe it would be much better for all if it was as it used to be. An establishment should have the right to have a smoking, non-smoking or sections for both smokers and non-smokers and then let the public decide where they want to go.

My 2 pfennigs.



[This message has been edited by Scott Langholff (edited 11-08-2006).]

Here in Kentucky, the tobacco capital of the world, the smoking ban took effect several years ago (Lexington, my home town). Every place that didn't have a patio at least set a table and a few chairs outside, or built decks, etc. It's kind of sad...seeing a group of smokers coughing away outside in sub sero weather. Availability of outside jobs dramatically increased.

The ban is obviously better for the population in general: both smokers and non-smokers. Some places ignored the ban and simply pay fines every time they're caught.

The general decline in tobacco use really has hit the tobacco farmers hard. Many are still searching for an alternative crop, with mixed results.

Several clubs closed after the ban went into effect.I took "smokin In the Bar Room" off my playlist!


Russ

The better spots I play at the shore are all packed..If they are there for entertainment..they are happy..they can go outside to smoke...just make sure they are 25 feet from the door..

It's my turn to enjoy fresher air...

Actually, I talk to many that come out now because of the ban..

The RI smoking ban has been a mixed blessing for me ...
I really enjoy being able to play in a piano lounge and not have some jack-a$$ blowing smoke at me while I'm trying to sing, or not going home with a headache because of the smoke ... not to mention flying on a plane (rows 1 - 15 non-smoking, rows 16 - 30 smoking - what a joke), ...
but I am a 'social' cigar smoker - on the golf course, working around the house (OUTSIDE ONLY !!! ), and I did enjoy an occasional cigar in a bar either watching a game on tv or having an after dinner drink listening to some jazz ... no more of that now unless I can find a 'cigar club' ...
t.

For those who specialize in retirment centers, assisted living & nursing homes, it is a non-issue. But, keep an eye on how the Japanese are starting to entertain their seniors: computerized games. I fully expect it will happen in the U.S. and fear it may result in fewer live bodies brought in to entertain the residents.

As for nightclubs, bars, restaurants, hotels, most of the animal clubs and the commercial places I used to play, entertainment has been scaled back or ceased altogether.

The upscale country club, yacht club circuit here still have good attendance, but don't hire entertainment as frequently as those mentioned above. Same is true for the larger mobile home subdivisions.

Private parties for birthdays & anniversaries represent a significant percentage of my business in the winter months. Not so much in the summer. (Now, there is a major UNDERstatement.)

I am glad I am not just starting out in this business now. And, I am thankful for the clients who continue to feature live entertainment on a regular or semi-occasional basis.

Eddie

Scott, we're not seeing that kind of decline over here in the Destin area, but you might also consider that the last two or three hurricane seasons (not counting this year!) have been a financial disaster for the Gulf Coast area, Pensacola in particular, something that probably has FAR more to do with a drop in business than any cigarette ban.

Admittedly, I'm not involved much in the VFW and Elks type venues over here, doing mostly resorts, but smokers are smokers, no matter their income. Just where, exactly, are these people going if NOT to clubs?

The clubs are also hiring young inexperienced temporary workers because they don't want to pay health and benefits. It's cheaper to bring in workers from Latvia and Hungary than it is to hire local experienced workers.....

I'm interested in what clause of the constitution guarantees smokers the right to endanger the lives of non-smokers..... the right to bear arms?

Tony mads' post illustrates the hypocrisy of cigar smokers - while he laments some OTHER jack-a$$ blowing smoke while HE's playing, he enjoys going out to listen to jazz while doing essentially the same thing.....

Addiction is a terrible thing...... I know my life would have been a lot different if I wasn't hooked on playing music! But at least it isn't as life threatening as it used to be.....

Diki ... Perhaps, but on the few occasions I did that I MADE SURE I was far away from the entertainer ......
t.

Perhaps, Tony, but you and I both know that in a poorly ventilated, small jazz club (what other kind is there?!!), it doesn't matter a whole lot WHERE the cigar smoker sits, pretty soon it affects your voice (and concentration!).....

This wasn't a personal dig at you in particular, just an illustration of how deep the hold nicotine can have on it's users, to the point that behavior not tolerated in others is somehow justified by the addicts themselves. It's kind of like saying 'I HATE people who yell and scream right in front of the band during quiet numbers, so I make sure that when I yell and scream during quiet numbers, I do it from the back of the audience.....'

Isn't it SO much nicer for everyone else if you take it outside........?

A wise man said:" Havng a smoking section in a restaurant is like having a peeing section in a swimming pool".

Here in Arizona the voters passe a comprehensive ban of smoking in public places, and defeated the proposition sponsored by the tobacco companies which would allow smoking in restaurants and bars, kill funding for the enforcement of other smoking laws, and neutered all other no-smoking ordnances.

I don't share the view that these tough anti-smoking laws are unconstitutional - all these laws deal with smoking in public places, which the governments can and do regulate. Compare it to sex - people are free to do it in privacy of their home, but people are generally prohibited from engaging in sex in public and have indecency acts to prevent it, despite much more positive impact on the paricipants' health than smoking.

I feel sorry for the misfortunes of the tobacco growers. I also symathize with the perils of the cocaine (coca) growers in Latin America (and other places), whose livelihoods are threatened by the aggressive anti-drug efforts of the evil policemen and godless DEA, and the plight of the bootleggers who are harmed by the repeal of the Prohibition

Regards,
Alex

Well here in Australia (specifically the State of Queensland) we have had a Total smoking ban since July (this year, 2006) and I've been talking to many Club Owners/Managers where we play.

Roughly (this is my own observation) the following has happened:

Club patronage, at first, dipped by approx 10% - and now has (pretty much) got back to normal.

I say pretty much because one of 2 things happened...

1. The club/venue actually had new members/visitors come in (or back) to the clubs BECAUSE there was no smoke.

2. Some clubs are still "down" as rebellious, sulky smokers (gee I guess you can see which side of the argument I'm on - huh?) are holding "smoking parties" in their own homes in "protest".

I notice that (as a general rule) the clubs that have less people in them, and more "negativity" are in lower income areas.

I don't know how it is in other Countries, but generally in Queensland, people less educated and in poorer, working class areas tend to be smokers, and angry at "the man" for "taking away their rights" etc etc....

Should have happened years ago as far as I'm concerned.

Smoking is a sad ridiculous habit.

(yes, yes, just my humble, misguided opinion....)

Flame me now smokers!

P.S. My voice lasts all night now and no more filthy, stinking clothes after a gig!!!!

I have been a non-smoker since I saw the light in 1990 and have enjoyed many more delights of taste and smell.
I used to play snooker a lot . But I recently went to my old club for a couple of hours for a game .There is not a smoking ban there.
When I came home my clothes stank of nicotine. I have not been back since.
cheers
Eddie



------------------
Eddie from Rotherham
Skype:eddiefromrotherham
www.yamahakeyboards.info

Not taken as such ...
... and yes, it is ...

t.

FWIW, I hate cig smoke but I'd rather have to contend with that anyday versus cigar smoke. That is the stinkingest stuff ever invented. Just awful. OTOH, when I was young, I used to like to smell pipe tobacco. I haven't smelled anyone smoking a pipe in decades. Isn't that odd. That really went out of fashion.

------------------
Bill
Yamaha PSR2000

My personal views..Thank goodness for the direction we are going in banning smoking in public places..It serves no sensible reason to put up with the stink in our environment..

We better soon curb smoking in this country..it has ruined enough lives..
I don't want it to be around my grand-kids..I am pretty sure they will know it is dumb to go with peer pressure..

After all , their parents [all, my kids and their spouses] do not smoke..

I can't help to be so negative about smoking and it's effects on health...any dummy should realize this by now...As it has been mentioned..it is an addiction..

Come on smokers , wake up for your own sake....chew gum..or have a mint..

BTW I didn't realize, sex in public was against the law...I better call Uncle Dave and remind him..

A little off topic

My 2 cents worth.

I'm an X smoker (9 years or so) and just got back from Vegas. 3rd year in a row getting a sore throat. I love to play poker and have to pay the price for it. There is no smoking in the poker rooms but the smoke stills gets to you from the casino's.

There has to be better technology to handle the second hand smoke. Vegas has an advantage with the climate in that they heat the outddors with gas canopee's so people can dance and listen to music, of course Vegas has more money then the US governement. (Joke)

Now what really gets me with all the money the Tobacco companies had to cough up is where it went. It should have gone into more research and hospital care for the poor who actually payed the bill.

Last but not least I did get to hear some pretty darned good music. I should have wrote down the name of a group playing at the Orleans they could rock and had a few great skits. All in all a good time. If anyone is planning a trip soon be careful of the slots they were screwed down tight. Ask my significant other or any of the loacals to see if it has changed any.

Jerry

Last year about this time, I quit smoking pipes. I'm just now finishing up a year of braces, retainers and weekly adjustments.

The harmful effects of smoking are we'll known, but this problem (usually resulting in painful TMJ) is really common.

I just can't figure out what to do with hundreds of expensive pipes. Some are very dangerous pieces of art costing hundreds of dollars.

Talk about a TERRIBLE investment...!


Russ

Russ, why not donate them for display purposes [behind glass], at your favorite non smoking restaurant....an outdoor display where smokers have to exit the premises...to smoke.

It can give them something to do and talk about , while they freeze their butts off this winter..

I notice as fall has approached the smokers breaks are getting shorter and shorter...

I guess the best time to quit would be as winter approaches..... Nothing like facing freezing your butt off to make you reconsider going outside for that drag....

I am a former cig smoker - smoked for 15 years, quit cigs 35 years ago - not sure when I started smoking cigars ... I enjoy the AROMA of a good cigar, as well as the taste ... but I CANNOT STAND the SMELL of cig smoke ...
Also smoked a pipe at one time ...

Coincidently, on my drive to work today I passed a guy smoking a pipe in his car ...

... and NO, I don't moke in my car or truck ...

t.

Hi Tony
Interesting that you are able to smoke cigars without going back to the evil cigarette.
Since cutting out all forms of tobacco 17 years ago, I have often wanted to smoke a cigar which I really enjoyed then and would surely enjoy again.
Strewth , in the last few years, I have also had to cut out beer because of coeliac disease and also cheese and associated goodies like pizzas because of lactose intolerance. I surely should be allowed an occasional cigar
Now even my wife would like to smell the wonderful aroma of a cigar but I am afraid that the old curse of cigarette smoking might just come back.

Is it so easy for you??????
cheers
Eddie Johnson


------------------
Eddie from Rotherham
Skype:eddiefromrotherham
www.yamahakeyboards.info

Eddie .... not that I would encourage anyone to resume smoking anything, ... but since you asked ...
I have NO desire for a cigarette, EVER ... as I said the smell of cig smoke really bothers me - strange?, I guess ...
As for the cigars, since I only smoke on the golf course or when working outside the house, during the winter months I rarely smoke at all ...
However, when I AM on the GC or working outside, I feel that something's missing if I don't smoke ...
t.

Me, too, Tony. Never smoked cigarettes, but really enjoyed my pipes (and an occasional pass at other herbs, in college).

Now, I relax with a fine cigar several times a week. Like you, never in the car or house.

Russ