Smoking law could burn already-compliant bars
By: Erin Sherbert
Examiner Staff Writer
January 31, 2010
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For naught? Some bars in San Francisco have gone
to great lengths, legally, to accommodate smokers. (Examiner file photo)
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San Francisco business leaders say a proposed anti-smoking ordinance would be a huge blow to local bars and restaurants, and it could eventually force vibrant hookah lounges to close down.
The legislation, which will be heard today at the Board of Supervisors Land Use and Economic Development Committee meeting, would ban smoking at roughly 90 bars and restaurants with outdoor patios and designated smoking areas, including popular spots like the Hemlock Tavern, Zeitgeist and Trigger dance club, city officials said.
“What are the unintended consequences of this legislation?” said Janet Clyde, co-owner of Vesuvio Cafe in North Beach and a member of the Small Business Commission. “We are concerned that this will be another piece of ammunition for people who are trying to get nighttime entertainment venues closed.”
Smokers also would be prohibited from lighting up at farmers markets, bingo games, polling places and ATM lines.
Although business leaders say they support the intent of the legislation, which is to limit secondhand smoke exposure, they feel that certain measures are too heavy-handed. They pointed out that many bars already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars installing ventilation and smoking areas to accommodate customers.
The City’s Small Business Commission is currently drafting letters asking the board to at least exempt bars from the proposed ordinance, said Regina Dick-Endrizzi, director of the San Francisco Office of Small Business.
If this legislation is passed, it means masses of bar patrons will be standing on the sidewalks and curbs of city streets, lighting up. This creates more noise in residential areas, litter and public safety concerns, Dick-Endrizzi said.
Furthermore, the new legislation puts the burden on bar and restaurant owners to make sure their patrons are not smoking near entrances.
“We know it will affect business,” Dick-Endrizzi said. “If they can smoke in the business, they might stay a little longer and spend a little more money.”
Mars Bar & Restaurant patrons can buy cigarettes at the bar and then light up on the outdoor patio, which seats as many as 50 people. Legislation like this could change the bar’s vibe, employees said.
“A lot of people take advantage of our patio as a place where they can smoke and drink at the same time,” said Chris James, a bartender at the SoMa locale. “If that wasn’t the case, I could see the sidewalk being littered with smokers.”
