The Athens night scene got a glimpse of what might be in store for bars and restaurants last night when a group of seniors from an advanced public relations class hosted a smoke-free night at Courtside Pizza, 85 N. Court Street.
Students were receptive to the event and read the informational pamphlets available at every table, said OU senior Emily Rowe, one of the organizers of the event. People still were able to smoke on the outside patio.
(My friends and I) walked in and we were surprised at how nice the bar was
said OU sophomore Lauren Payne.
Courtside Pizza was chosen for the event because of its outdoor patio. If it were at any other bar, some smokers said they would be more reluctant to go.
There are a lot of students who smoke and there really isn't anywhere where you can go outside said OU sophomore Kara Keibler.
The Smoke-Free Ohio campaign began obtaining signatures for a smoking ban proposal May 3, said Tracy Sebata, co-chair of Smoke-Free Ohio. The proposal, which would prohibit smoking in bars and restaurants, is expected to have the minimum 97,000 signatures by November of this year. The proposal is then sent to the state legislature for review.
We decided that the only way to protect all of Ohio was by making the clean-air laws everywhere she said.
According to smokefreeohio.org, spending two hours in a bar that allows smoking is equivalent to smoking four cigarettes.
(Having a smoke-free bar) will be better for everyone
said Dave Cornwell, owner of Courtside Pizza. It will especially be better for my staff that has to work six to eight hours a night.
There are 18 cities in Ohio that have some form of smoking restrictions. Columbus was the first city in Ohio to pass the Smokefree Indoor Air Act on January 31.
We've had a very positive experience so far
said founder of the Smoke Free Columbus Coalition, Dr. Rob Crane. Bars have been on board especially in the campus area.
The greatest number of smoke-free advocates comes from college-age students, Crane said.
A recent survey done by the PR class showed that 68 percent of OU students said they would support a smoking ban in bars and 30 percent of students said they would attend a non-smoking bar more often.
It will take at least two years for everyone to get used to not being allowed to smoke in bars
said Cornwell, who estimates that 20 percent of his customers smoke. People are still going to go out. They're just going to have to change their habits.
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