One serious problem with the new smoking ban in NC.

[lildreamer316]

First; I am not a smoker, and never have been in my entire life.
Second; my family came from tobacco farmers. We are native to NC as far as is possible (I am one eighth Cherokee - mother's side). But my parents both hated smoking and father quit when I was born. Mother was active in ACS. Had cancer three times; survived it twice. Grandfather died from it; smoker.
Third; I've been working in the bar business since I was 20. I am 36 now. Husband is a smoker; has been in the bar business since age 11 (yes, you read that right).

The problem I have is that this law outlaws smoking in gentleman's/exotic/strip clubs, as written. The reason I have this problem is that the law says that smoking is allowed in private bars/clubs. HOWEVER; for alcohol-enforcement purposes; we ARE classified as a PRIVATE club - and they frequently fine us if we do NOT enforce this by making everyone that walks through the door wait three days for a membership. BUT..GUESS how they got around this!?! The included the words NON-PROFIT in the wording of the law to apply to private bars/clubs.

That's some creative bullshit right there. They saw an opportunity to twist it a little further to adult businesses; and did so.

Look, I'm all for my coworkers and customers being healthier; as well as myself. But either we ARE a private club, or we're NOT.

We're already hurting in this economy, and husband just now started making a little more money. SURE, eventually people will get used to it and start coming around or adjusting; but in the meantime what are we supposed to do? Competition is already fierce. I suppose there will be bars that flout the law and risk the $200 (bar responsible)/$50 (person who lights up responsible) fine; but then we're breaking the law and that's one more reason to try and shut us down.

I don't really care whether you think this is a legitimate career choice or not - people do work in this business as a career; for their livelihood; and we are part of the economy. We're not going anywhere, and we deserve to have the right to make a living just as everyone else does.

I really hope someone challenges this 'private club' thing in court. This is a bit much; trying to have it both ways. We've got some heavy players in the biz here in NC..it's possible one of them; or a group of them would see a case for mounting a challenge in the courts.

Meanwhile, I'm trying to sell the boss on the idea of selling electronic cigarettes.

[Behind the Aegis]

1. Your post is confusing.

Are you saying the new law is trying to declare private bars/clubs are non-profit, and therefore, fall under the new law? I don't see how this is even possible. A "club" might be non-profit, but if you work in an adult industry bar, it is clearly "for profit," that's the whole point. Personally, I think the new law is stupid, but if it is being used in this way, it goes to show how far "nanny-ism" goes.

[taterguy]

2. I'm sure the puritans in the Lege think the impact on topless bars is a big fringe benefit

At other bars it's no big deal to step outside for a smoke.

Frankly, I'd be a bit uncomfortable smoking in the parking lot of a topless bar. I live in a small town and even though I'm not ashamed of patronizing those establishments I'd rather not advertise that to my neighbors, co-workers, etc.

[fasttense]

3. Too bad you can't set up on an Indian Reservation.

No smoking laws don't apply there.

[Warpy]

6. Yeah, but no booze laws do

which kind of defeats the purpose of running a bar.

[panader0]

4. I'm a smoker, not that much, but going to a bar was always

a place to smoke. As far as I can tell, most bar folk are smokers. The ban on smoking in bars has hurt the business a lot. As a musician, the ban has meant that many bars have cut out live music because business has slacked. The bars I'm talking about are not fancy places, but saloons and roadhouses.

[Warpy]

5. Bars here have been nonsmoking for over five years

and bars in Ireland have been nonsmoking for over two years. Both have adjusted quite well and owners say business is up, not down, as people who were deterred from going out in the evening because they couldn't stand the dense clouds of other people's smoke are now going out.

What successful bars here and Ireland have done has been to set up facilities for smokers. That means covered areas outdoors in Ireland and heat lamps in winter in both places. Once smokers realize that they're not going to have to stand out in a cold rain trying to suck smoke into their lungs every half hour, they're a lot more compliant and fines have been few and far between. The setup cost is minimal.

The nonprofit/club law was put into place for outfits like the VFW halls and lodges. Bar owners are going to find a hell of a lot of hoops to jump through to get reclassified. You're a for profit business and you're likely to stay that way.

The nonsmoking laws have struck terror into the hearts of bar owners and patrons wherever they've been enacted. A year later, both groups are generally pleased with them, even the smokers who don't feel like total shit the next day from being in a stifling environment the night before.