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Hopkinsville Mayor Pushes For Indoor Smoking Ban One Year After Bowling Green Enacts Similar Ordinance

Posted: 3:55 PM Apr 30, 2012
Reporter: Elsa Bolt

It's been relatively smooth sailing in Bowling Green since the indoor smoking ban in public places was enacted last year.

There was a hiccup when the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign War Post filed a lawsuit after they were cited for smoking.

The groups argued they were a private business and in the end the citation was thrown out because of insufficient evidence.

But Commissioner Brian "Slim" Nash says the two groups later complied.

"Interestingly enough, shortly after they prevailed in court, their committees met and they have voluntarily gone smoke free," says Brian "Slim" Nash, a Bowling Green City Commissioner.

When WBKO visited Red Coach and Table shortly after the ban was put in place, the restaurant was worried they might lose some customers.

However, they say the past year has shown that the ordinance has actually helped rather than hurt business.

"There's been news customers that have come in, you know a lot of people have asthma or allergies or whatever and they can't take it all, and it has actually brought a lot of our old customers back to us," says Sherry Belcher, the Co-Manager at Red's Coach and Table.

Overtime Sports Bar and Grill also says business has increased and that it's all about accommodation.

"We have our patios outside and in the front so there are plenty of places for people to smoke," says J.D. Hazel, the Assistant Manager at Overtime Sports Bar and Grill.

One smoker doesn't mind the ordinance himself.

"I enjoy smoking elsewhere and I don't have a problem with people who do smoke, I dont particularly like it while I'm eating my food," says Will Stonebracker, a smoker.

Now if the similar smoking ban ordinance being proposed by the Mayor of Hopksinville is passed, it could take effect as early as July.

Commissioner Nash also says there have been less than a dozen citations given since the indoor smoking ban has been enacted.