By Chrissy Nethercutt and Kelsey VanArsdall, The Republic Staff writers
Officials called the first day of enforcement for the city’s new smoking ordinance “fairly uneventful.”
The mayor’s office received only two formal complaints Wednesday from “quite caring” callers, said mayor’s administrative assistant Pat Wilson.
One complaint reported smokers inside Home Folks Family Restaurant and another involved smokers within 10 feet of the Post Office’s entrance, she said.
“They were just complaints from people who really care about enforcing the ordinance,” Wilson said.
Fire Chief Gary Henderson — who will share complaint investigations with City Personnel Director Chuck Boll —said after finding only a cook and a waitress working at Home Folks, Wednesday, his investigation will resume today.
Henderson said his plan in dealing with complaints is to make managers aware of the ordinance and their role with enforcement, to listen to their side of the story and “go from there.”
“I’m not going in with guns drawn,” he said.
The ordinance prohibits smoking in all enclosed public places except bars, private clubs and tobacco stores. Smoking also is banned within 10 feet of businesses’ doors.
As for the post office complaint, Henderson said he clarified the ordinance and hoped managers would help make smokers aware of the rules.
“We’re not going to go out there with a tape measure and tell people where to stand,” he said. “Most people know what 10 feet looks like.”
Overall, Henderson said he was pleased that the city received only two complaints Wednesday.
“I didn’t really know what to expect, but I’d say things are going pretty well if that’s all,” he said.
Wilson said a call from the owner of Abigail’s West End Family Restaurant and Lounge was perhaps the most disconcerting report of the day.
“She said her smoking customers didn’t come today and they lost about $300 in business,” Wilson said. “She just sounded concerned about her business.”
Tobacco Awareness coordinator Peggy Voelz said “it’s hard to tell” the early impact of the ban.
“I ate lunch (Wednesday) at Applebee’s and the crowd was good, the food was good and the air was good,” she said.
Voelz said the restaurant’s atmosphere was tremendously different from prior to the ban.
“In most restaurants like Applebee’s there was no wall or anything separating smoking and non-smoking sections,” she said.
“So yeah, it’s a huge difference, and overall I think the response has been positive.”