University Chronicle

Issue date: 9/27/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Anya Vaverko Minnesota is the 20th state to ban smoking in bars and restaurants. Fines will be up to $300 for those who violate the new ordinance.

Media Credit: Anya Vaverko Julie Steck, a first-year student, takes a smoke break in front of Atwood Center Wednesday morning. She says she had begun to quit, but the stress of school made her a smoker again. She plans to kick the habit starting in October.

Kevin Dunphy, 51, started smoking when he was a teenager.

He smoked for the next 35 years until giving it up two and a half years ago.

"It ruined my health," he said. "That's why I quit."

It also ruined the health of some of his family members.

"My father and grandfather quit smoking in middle age and still ended up with cancer," he said. "It'll probably happen to me, too."

Dunphy is pleased by the smoking ban that takes effect next week.

The ban, which was signed into law by Governor Tim Pawlenty last May, is meant to protect employees and the public from the dangers of second-hand smoke.

The ban applies to all bars, restaurants and private clubs. In general, it applies to almost all indoor public places and indoor places of employment such as retail stores, public transportation, educational facilities and healthcare facilities.

Dunphy said since he no longer smokes, the ban will make going to bars and restaurants more comfortable for him.

"I think it's great," he said.

Victor Kleinsteuber III, a regular at Old Chicago, agrees. His grandfather smoked and eventually died of emphysema.

"That's probably why I don't smoke," he said.

Kleinsteuber said he thinks the ban will be beneficial to bars and restaurants.

"I'll probably go more," he said. "People with kids will be able to go to those places now, too. It's the best thing I've seen in a long time."

Not all bar goers have such a favorable opinion of the ban.

Mark Barth, 52, who has smoked for 30 years, knows smoking is bad for his health, but he is not a supporter of the ban.

"To put it in a nutshell, smoking is bad," he said. "Government interference in small business is worse. They are taking a legal activity and telling people when and where you can do it. It's a sad day for America."

To Barth, it's just another example of government sticking its nose where it doesn't belong.

"Every time I see this, I wonder what's next," he said.

Kevin McMahon, who has worked as a bartender at MC's Dugout for the past year, is in favor of the ban.

"I am for it because I don't smoke, and I work in a bar," McMahon said.

McMahon said he doesn't think the ban will hurt business at MC's Dugout despite many customers saying they are not in favor of it.

He said if people do light up in the bar after Oct. 1, employees will simply tell them smoking is not allowed.

"We'll just let people know there's no smoking; they won't get kicked out," he said.

Hugh Faundeen, a bartender at Buffalo Wild Wings,



has smoked for a few years, but still supports the ban.

"I think it's going to be good for every one," he said. "For smokers, it's not too hard to go outside and if you're a nonsmoker, obviously it will be good for you."

Faundeen said he thinks the ban will be good for business and may even increase revenue.

"I think we will be able to get people in and out faster since there is no smoking or nonsmoking section," Faundeen said.

He said many of his coworkers are also looking forward to it. "If there is only one section, you don't have to worry about someone getting dealt the smoking section," he said.

Faundeen said customers he has spoken to are looking forward to the ban.

"I've talked to no one against it," he said.

Jamie Anderson, a bartender and cocktail server at Old Chicago, is also in favor of the ban. Anderson smoked for two or three years, but quit about a year ago.

"I'm looking forward to not smelling like a bar," she said.

Anderson said most of her coworkers are looking forward to the ban also.

"We do have staff who smoke who aren't happy, but no one really complains."

Anderson said she has heard mixed opinions from customers, but supporters of the ban are more vocal.

"There are some that are in favor, and the ones who aren't don't say much," she said.

She said some customers seem to be treating it as a significant moment in history.

"A few days ago," Anderson said, "someone was taking pictures of people smoking, because in a few years it will be unheard of."

After not smoking for two and a half years, Dunphy said he has a word of advice for young people.

"I tell young people I've made some bad career choices and I've been married twice, but the dumbest thing I ever did was start smoking," he said.

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