Are Customers, Restaurants Ready To Go Smoke-Free?

Garry Simpson

Buley Barrett and Jerry Gaither

Angela Ringler

Justin Ringler

MURFREESBORO, Tenn.- A statewide ban on most workplace smoking went into effect July 1.

Enforcement begins in October so that businesses have enough time to comply.

The ban includes restaurants but allows smoking in private clubs and businesses.

Many restaurants are ready, while others are waiting until Oct. 1 to take the plunge.

For 107 years, smoke was just part of the atmosphere at the City Café in Murfreesboro.

"Everybody smoked," said Garry Simpson, owner of the City Café. "No one thought anything about it. No one knew there was another way to live."

Non-smoker Jerry Gaither and his smoking buddy Buley Barrett have witnessed 63 years of changes at the eatery.

"He used to have a sign up that said no smoking," Gaither said.

Gone are the days of divided sections. Now the whole place is smoke free and everyone has an opinion.

"It's nice that there isn't smoking," Gaither said.

"I think ones who don't smoke are pushing ones that do," Barrett said.

"I really think it should be up to the store owner," said Justin Ringler, a smoker. "I don't think the government has any right to regulate that."

"It's very nice to be able to go into the restaurant not worry about them inhaling the smoke that everyone else enjoys," said Angela Ringler, a mother and non-smoker.

Simpson worried about a backlash, but said the ban has increased business.

"I've seen people come in every day I've never seen in here before," he said.

A historic move for some is just a legal maneuver for others.

Restaurant chains such as Ruby Tuesday's, Chilli's Grill and Bar, and Logan's Roadhouse must be smoke-free indoors by Oct. 1 or face fines by state law.

Restaurants that do not comply with the ban will be fined up to $500 a day by state law.

According to Smoke-Free Tennessee's Web site, all restaurants will be required to be smoke free unless they limit access to people 21 years and older at all times This includes restaurants with bars, chain and hotel restaurants.