Karaoke Forums

Well it's happened. Illinois is a smoke free state Jan. 2008.
I am dreading this change. I'm just hoping it doesn't shut the bar down. They say from studies bars after the change do better after time, but they don't mention all the bars that end up closing because of it.

They use these studies to convince people it won't hurt business, but if you look at the studies they only take in consideration the bars that have survived. Sure I bet the bars that are left end up doing better, that's because there is less competition.

I don't care to debate if smoking is right or wrong, but when it threatens your lively hood you become concerned.  :bawling:

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[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

I don't understand the logic behind this statement.  Alcohol lowers inhibitory response increasing smoking temptation.  Given the environment this makes little sense. More will go to private areas and smoke while they drink.  The problem isn't just strict smoking ban laws affecting bars,  it's also strict alcohol laws.  Coupled together how can this NOT affect bar revenue ?

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Nah it will hurt for about 6 months to a year while people adjust & accept.  Our no smoking ban has been in effect for a little over a year & according to liquor sales reports, liquor & food sales in bars have actually increased since the ban.  The bars that did fold up - were hanging on by a string to begin with, that was just a great excuse to put blame on something other than their own fault.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/loca ... 84456.html

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

I agree - NJ went smoke free not too long ago - WHat happens is a slow down at first but then it picks right back up - What WILL happen is that at any given point in the night 1/3rd the place will be outside smoking -

Thank you - that makes me feel better. I hope you are all right about business bouncing back after 6 months.

It did make me laugh the comment about the bar disappearing outside here and there. I'm sure that will happen. We'll have to put a speaker outside to announce who is up next.  LMAO

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We've been smokeless in WA for a little over a year now.  Stats show business has actually increased.  After awhile you get used to it.  I still find myself want to smoke and either have to throw on jam in between singers or queue up someone on a six minute song so I can slip out for a stogie.  

It's a pain, but our health will thank us later.

well i think it sucks and if it happens here i will give up mu gigs.  i look soooo foraward to friday adn saturday nights when i fire up a big fat cigar and enjoy!

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All work and no play make Homer something something

I know that since CT has gone "smokeless" every bar I have gone to have only enforced the smoking ban if say a fight breaks out and the police have to be called. Otherwise it's business as usual.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

Oregon goes smoke-free january of 09... finally I won't have to throw my clothes that reek of smoke on the front porch each night after work... having worked in washington  after they banned smoking, I notice most people learn to deal with the changes and have seen increases in certain areas that help offset the loss of any hardcore smokers unable to go without a puff for more than 20 minutes...  I also like the reduction in smoke and dust that collects in my hardware and computer setup... ch-ch-ch-changes...


tig

What I noticed in quite a few of the Hartford Suburban bars is that the very large bars (that tend to fill up later at night with a younger crowd) don't seem to get overly concerned about strict adherence to the ban.  The smaller, mellower bars around here enforce it VERY strictly though, and people just go out into the parking lot to smoke.  I believe you're in the Waterbury area still ?   I have no idea what's what down there these days.  

The restaurant venues that usually end up closing earlier, where the bar revenue is predominantly the residual dinner crowd hitting the lounge for a short time, are VERY strict around my location.

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

The big pain about the new non-smoking in Ohio is the constant parade of people outside, often right in front of the singer. What a pain -- plus half your audience leaves.

One of our addicted hosts now puts up two dance songs after every rotation so he can go outside and smoke.

Our non-smoking law in TN just passed recently. I think it actually went into effect July 1st, but won't be "enforced" until Oct. 1st, so restaurants/ bars have a little time to get acclimated. Any bar/ restaurant places that are strictly 21 and up are exempt from the new law. Still wondering why they don't make it an 18 and up exemption..... that being the legal smoking age.

Guess they definitely wanna separate drinking bars and eating establishments by doing that. Being a smoker myself, I suppose it could be worse.

Think our place will be O.K... (Just hoping American Pie or Bohemian Rhapsody gets sung more often, so I can sneak out back. )

Where in WA are you???

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Just a speculation, i'm willing to bet that within 5 years (more than likely sooner) ALL 50 states will be non-smoking!!!!  It's a fact in life, deal with it & accept it!!!!

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Being a Non-smoker, if I cant get at least 2 tables from a smoker I'm leaving. The considerate smoker isn't as bad as the smoker that lights up one and takes a puff just to let it burn up in the ash tray. then Light another for incense. Truly is it a matter of being totally inconsiderate that makes a necessity of this type of law.

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I'm Not Dead yet...... But every day Im getting Closer !

KJ's might have to insert a "filler" song every once and awhile so the smoking singers can all go out at the same time.  This way the audience will be FULL for the singers and no one is walking out on them etc. ---  :thinkin:

If the smokers know a "smoking song" is due up they just might wait the additional 5 minutes --therefore given the current singer more "audience"

I tend to have issues with singers who smoke being outside smoking when they're called.  Same thing with the bartenders ... need a beer and have to wait for the bartender to finish smoking.  It has it's pros and cons.

Lon - Whatcom

The whole of the UK is now smoke free and it's upto bar owners to provide provisions for smokers. In my opinion the effect in my area/Bars I use has been negligeable.
Being a smoker myself it has affected me more than the customers. The customers pop outside for a smoke but if I'm hosting a Karaoke it can be difficult to find 10 mins to pop outside. Luckilly my daughter can use my equipment so she usually provides cover for the odd 10 mins. Can't keep dissapearing though so my smoking as cut down