Tuesday, August 08 2006
OCEAN SPRINGS, MS - Business owners are split over a potential smoking ban in the city.
Ocean Springs resident Woodrow Gibbs asked aldermen last week to consider an ordinance that would block smoking in all public and commercial buildings.
Gibbs, who was invited to the board's meeting last week by Mayor Connie Moran, cited research from the U.S. Surgeon General that details the dangers of second- hand smoke.
"It maims, sickens and kills," he said.
Gibbs asked aldermen to consider an ordinance similar to one recently approved by city leaders in Starkville, Miss.
Under that ordinance, smoking is banned everywhere in the city except hotel rooms that are designated for smokers and private clubs restricted to members only.
Smoking in Starkville is also prohibited in certain outdoor areas, including some attached areas of restaurants and seating areas of sports arenas and venues.
Violators can be fined up to $250, the ordinance said.
Roy Dunn, owner of Manhattan Grill in Ocean Springs, said he's not crazy about the idea.
Dunn, who does not smoke, said he just spent $5,000 on a "smoke eater" machine.
"It's a machine that filters all the smoke out," Dunn said. "I'm in the middle. I don't see why they want to do this now. At least let me use my smoke eater for a while. Or refund me for it."
Cheryl Moshenrose, owner of Cheryl's Steakhouse, said she does not support a smoking ban.
"I don't think they have any right to tell anyone what to do," she said. "It's their own business."
But Sherrie Aiken, manager of Aunt Jenny's Julep Room, said she would support the ordinance.
"Yes, let's do it!" she said. "It's disgusting in here. We can seat about 50 people in here, and 35 of them probably smoke. I'm a smoker, and I hate it. I have to go outside because I can't breathe in here."
Aiken said she doubts a smoking ban would cause her business to lose customers.
"Anybody can go outside to smoke and then come back in," she said.
Several businesses in Ocean Springs are already smoke-free.
Kris Kwitzky, part-owner of Kwitzky's Dugout, decided to create his own smoking ban in the popular bar on Government Street.
"We just decided to have a smoke-free bar and see what happens," he said. "It was the smart thing to do. It's been phenomenal."
Kwitzky, who does not smoke, said he receives numerous compliments from customers who enjoy the smoke-free atmosphere.
"They tell me it's nice to go home and not have to take a shower before you go to bed," he said. "It's a cleaner atmosphere. The bar is real clean, the bathrooms are real clean. 81 percent of the public doesn't smoke. I'm not going to go for the 100 percent."
Aldermen could discuss the issue further at their August 15 meeting.
Dunn encouraged them to pursue other priorities.
"Build the bridge and leave all that other stuff alone," he said.
Source: GulfLive.com, as reported by Natalie Chandler
Published: August 7, 2006
