Photo by Shawn ArrajjDespite little action at the state level when it comes to enforcing smoke-free policies at businesses and restaurants, several business owners in Harris County have recently passed or are making plans to adopt smoke-free policies.
Efforts were made to adopt a statewide smoking ban extending to public places and indoor worksites in each of the past four legislative sessions. Each time, the measure was defeated. Business owners and managers like Mike Nelson with Copperfield Bowl said they are tired of waiting for state legislators to pass a ban. Nelson has moved forward with plans to launch his own no-smoking policy for the bowling alley, which he said will be put into effect starting in September.
"We announced it last year so we could give our clients plenty of notice," Nelson said. "We believe going smoke-free fits better with the family-friendly atmosphere we want to create. We don't expect to lose much business over it."
Nelson is not alone. Not only are other businesses considering the switch to no indoor smoking, new businesses that are being started are going the smoke-free route right from the beginning.
"I had people questioning me from the start on whether I made the right decision," said Colby Van Cleave, owner of the smoke-free Lucky's Pub in Cypress, which opened in 2012. "I never questioned the decision, and it was confirmed as soon as I opened my doors. People were immediately giving positive feedback about us being smoke-free."
Mark McShaffry, owner of the Backyard Grill and the Backyard Smokehouse in the Cy-Fair area, decided to make his restaurant smoke-free in January.
"We promote ourselves as a family restaurant, and having [smoking] here didn't really make sense," he said.
Business took a minor hit after making the switch, McShaffry said, because of a few regular smokers that decided not to come back and from the cold weather, which made the Grill's patio, where smoking is still allowed, less appealing. McShaffry said he expects things to turn around once more people hear of the change.
"There are people out there that knew we were a smoking restaurant and didn't come because of that," he said. "In the long run, we think more will start coming soon after they hear we're non-smoking. Either way, I still think it was the right choice, just for the kids."
However, business owners at facilities that allow smoking say they have appreciative customers of their own.
"I make a point to be as accomodating as I can to all my patrons," said Garland Atkinson, owner of Cypress Saloon, a smoke-friendly bar that uses a large fan and ventilation system to prevent the smoke scent. "Lots of non-smokers come here, and I've never had any complaints."
Smoking is banned in the city of Houston in enclosed public places—including restaurants and bars—as well as enclosed work places and outdoors within 25 feet of building entrance and exit doors. These laws do not extend to unincorporated Harris County, with the exception of the Willowbrook area at FM 1960 and Hwy. 249. The Houston Housing Authority implemented a no smoking policy at the end of January for residents living in one of the city's 25 public housing properties. The University of Houston became smoke-free on June 1 last year.
Some people like Van Cleave think a statewide smoking ban in enclosed public and work places is inevitable, citing another benefit of being ahead of the curve.
"All the bars are going to have that stench of smoke still lingering around," he said. "I won't have to get rid of it."
Similarly, McShaffry said the change in scent at the Backyard Grill was noticed almost immediately.
"When people used to complain about the smoke smell, I just blamed it on the wood," he said. "It's amazing, even after just one day, how much cleaner the air smelled."
