Smoking ban not ruled out for Vicksburg|[12/03/06]

Published 12:00 am Sunday, December 3, 2006

Vicksburg Mayor Laurence Leyens said he will &#8220look into” anti-smoking legislation that has gained momentum across Mississippi.

&#8220We discussed this issue about three years ago, and there was absolutely no support, publicly, for it,” he said. &#8220I will look into it and if the community says that is what it wants, that’s what will happen.”

Starkville, Tupelo, Mantachie and Oxford have adopted smoking bans, and Hattiesburg, Meridian, Corinth and Pontotoc are considering them.

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&#8220I just got a letter from someone asking why Vicksburg doesn’t have one,” Leyens said. &#8220I know this has become a national issue, and I will research it.”

A U.S. surgeon general’s report this year about the health risks of second-hand smoke spurred cities nationally to enact or consider smoking bans.

&#8220We see momentum,” Kimberly Hughes of the American Cancer Society said. &#8220We hope it leads to more cities going smoke-free.”

In Vicksburg, some business owners and managers had mixed feelings about bans prohibiting people from smoking in enclosed areas.

&#8220People are going to smoke because they are addicted to it,” Doc Oakman, owner of Doc’s Wholesale, said. &#8220I think it’s primarily up to business owners whether to allow smoking.”

But, Oakman said, he understands why smoking bans in Mississippi appear to be gaining popularity.

&#8220I don’t smoke, and I don’t enjoy it when people smoke around me,” he said. &#8220My employees don’t smoke in here. They have to go to a break room.”

Demetra Williams, 29, is a smoker but doesn’t have a problem putting out her cigarette before entering a business.

&#8220I think it’s fair,” she said. &#8220I wish they’d do it here. It wouldn’t bother me not to be able to smoke in public. You shouldn’t suffer just because I have a habit.”

But at places like Garfield’s, a restaurant on Pemberton Square Boulevard with a bar, people might be reluctant to spend money if they’re not allowed to smoke.

&#8220It would probably hurt us because people come here to smoke and drink,” said Lisa Rich, general manager. &#8220Business-wise, I would be against it. Personally, I don’t care.”

At Tobacco Mart, owner Jay Patel refused to take issue with smoking bans.

&#8220If you’re a smoker and you go somewhere, you can just walk outside to smoke,” he said. &#8220I’ve got a ‘no smoking’ sign on my front door. I don’t smoke, so I can’t stand to be around it.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 24 percent of Mississippians in 2000 smoked, compared to just more than 23 percent nationally. About 5,000 Mississippians were projected to have died that year because of health complications caused by smoking.

The second largest employer in Vicksburg, collectively, the four casinos, have no restrictions in the gaming areas.

Traci Haynes, a public relations manager for Ameristar Casino Vicksburg, declined to speculate on what effect a smoking ban might have on the gaming industry here.

&#8220We can’t speak for the public,” she said. &#8220Our concern is just to ensure our guests are always comfortable. We can accommodate our guests who enjoy smoking, as well as our guests who don’t smoke.”

Ameristar, Haynes said, is set to complete installation of a ventilation system in spring 2007.

&#8220We take the issue of air quality very seriously and to ensure our guests are always comfortable and safe in our environment, we have recently invested in a new state-of-the-art ventilation system.”

Mark Robinson, 26, sat down with two others at Garfield’s to eat and smoke. None said a smoking ban would discourage them from frequenting their favorite businesses.

&#8220Some people don’t like it, but that’s why they have smoking and non-smoking sections,” Robinson said. &#8220I don’t think it would bother me that much. I’d wind up going outside.”

Rachel Foster, 19, agreed.

&#8220It might aggravate me for a second. But we don’t smoke in our houses, either.”

In Tupelo, businesses have placed signs at their primary entrances that display the international no smoking symbol.

Violators of the ordinance will be fined $50 for the first offense and up to $250 for the second offense.

Businesses that violate the ordinance will receive a $100 fine for the first offense and $200 for the second violation within one year. For each additional violation, business owners will be fined $500. The companies are also subject to revocation of their city permits.

&#8220But I don’t think it would be a big deal here,” Stanley Elliot, a manager at Ryan’s Family Steak House, said. &#8220I don’t think it would have an adverse effect on business. I moved here from Alabama where they had a smoking ban.”

In Starkville, where its smoking went into effect six months ago, the response has been positive.

Rick Welch, owner of Rick’s Cafe American, said his nightclub has experienced little to no problems regarding violations of the ordinance.

&#8220We opened our outdoor tiki bar right before the ban started and had a lot of smokers out there,” Welch said. &#8220Now that it’s gotten cold, the smokers huddle up outside under heaters. But I have yet to see a noticeable influx of the new customers that promised to come out more if my business was smoke free.”

Tray Gamble, general manager of Mugshots Bar and Grill and Whiskey Blues, said despite talk of Starkville area businesses being hurt by the smoking ban, neither establishment has seen a drop in revenue.

&#8220The smoking ban has not affected our business at either bar,” he said. &#8220At first, there was a lot of response and talk out of the customers, but I think now everyone has adapted to the situation. I would say 65 percent of people appreciate non-smoking public areas even if they do smoke.”

People caught smoking inside Starkville businesses can be fined $50 for the first offense and $250 afterward. Businesses where smokers are cited for smoking indoors three times within a 12-month period risk losing their business licenses.

One business owner said he believes his company has benefited from becoming a smoke-free establishment.

&#8220Overall, the smoking ban has benefited the Tavern’s business,” Dave Hood, owner of Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern, said. &#8220We were fortunate to have an area where we could construct an outdoor patio that accommodates anyone who cares to smoke.”

Starkville Police Chief David Lindley said no citations have been written or fines issued for violations of the smoking ban.

&#8220We’ve been pleasantly surprised at how smooth this whole legislation has run since it was passed,” he said. &#8220We haven’t had to ticket anyone, and we haven’t even had any reports or complaints in regard to it. I think that says a lot for our citizens and merchants here in Starkville.”

Smoking bans are also being considered for 15 hospitals in Jackson and Vicksburg, including for River Region Medical Center.

The prohibition, resulting from a partnership between the Mississippi Hospital Association and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, takes effect by July 1.

However, River Region spokesman Diane Gawronski downplayed River Region Health System’s involvement.

&#8220Frankly, it is something we are considering,” she said. &#8220But we haven’t made a formal decision.”

HEALTH EFFECTS OF SMOKING