February 06, 2005
Two years into smoking ban, the gasping dwindles
Nearly two years after New York City banned smoking in bars, restaurants and all other indoor public spaces, New Yorkers - even the smokers - seem to be embracing the policy, according to the New York Times.
They cite an appreciation for the cleaner air, cheaper dry-cleaning bills, no significant loss in business and "a new social order created by the ban." The story quotes smoker Bill Cauclanis, standing outside Toad Hall last week: "There's a secondary scene now outside of bars - a smoker's scene. ... You can meet a girl out here. Strike up a conversation."
A couple bar owners said business dropped up to 25 percent right after the ban went into effect, but it's bounced back almost to old levels. From the NY Times Employment in restaurants and bars, one indicator of the city's service economy, has risen slightly since the ban went into effect, as has the number of restaurant permits requested and held, according to city records, although those increases could be attributed in part to several factors, including a general improvement in the city's economy. Noise complaints from neighbors have indeed gone up, but city officials said that's because the city's newish 311 line has merely made it easier to complain.
Though indeed, it addresses the question as to whether the ban makes New York less like New York: "The whole nature of New York City and the bar is you can go into a smoky atmosphere," Jason Sitek, told the Times while smoking outside Spike Hill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. "It's like Disney World now."
As an afterthought, the NYT quotes Audrey Silk, the founder of the NYC Citizens Lobby Against Smoker Harassment. "We're not giving up," Silk said.
The graphic with the story also notes that with the high city taxes, a pack of smokes costs $7.50 these days. And oddly, the paper of record makes no mention that the city recorded an 11 percent drop in smoking in the year the ban went into effect, "the most significant one-year drop ever recorded."
Update: I popped by Circa Tabac in SoHo today, and indeed they still allow smoking - and free wi-fi. Their web site says they are one of only five locations in New York City "where you will still be able to enjoy a cigarette with your drink." Anybody know the other four?
Update II: Following up on this here post, Gridskipper now posts a list of NYC bars that still allow smoking. Unknown as yet if they're all legal and legit.
February 6, 2005 11:41 AM in Drinkology
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