By LINDSAY WHITEHURST, Herald Bulletin
A staple Anderson business owner prohibited smoking in his restaurants this week, joining more than 40 others.
Al Montano, president of the La Charreada company, said it was a business decision.
“Everyone is getting more health conscious. I’d say 90 percent of my customers are non-smokers,” he said. “If non-smoking is full, I don’t want to make a customer wait in line.”
Because the restaurant caters mainly to families, and doesn’t have a bar, fewer smokers eat there.
“Even though we have a big sitting room and ventilation is good, people will complain about the smell of cigarettes. I don’t enjoy the smell,” he said. The chain’s Bloomington locations are already smoke-free, he said, and the Noblesville location is next.
“I want to do them all, but I’m going to take my time, do a careful review,” he said. The Elwood restaurant, for example, attracts many smokers.
While much of the feedback has been positive, a few customers promise not to come back without their smokes.
“But in a week or two, here they are again,” he said.
He joined a list of 43 Anderson restaurants, from The Lemon Drop to Panera Bread, who either opened smoke-free or have decided to prohibit smoking, said Karesa Knight, community director at Healthy Tobacco Free Madison County, Inc.
Grinding out smoking, she said, also helps businesses save money on health insurance.
“You have to think that you’re doing it for the workers,” she said. “To tell them they have to breathe toxins in order to work, it becomes an employee rights issue.”
Looking at the big picture, she said higher health care costs for smokers may prohibit companies from locating in Madison County.
One way to avoid those problems could be a blanket ordinance prohibiting smoking in indoor workplaces. She mentioned meeting with city council members to develop a new law.
“We’re working on one. It’s going to take a while, but we’re heading that way,” she said.
@ 2005 The Herald Bulletin.
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