By Brenda Showalter, The Republic Reporter
Some Columbus smokers continued to light up Wednesday at local restaurants despite the city smoking ban taking effect.
One woman sat in Home Folks Family Restaurant enjoying a cigarette and not worrying if she would be fined.
“They have to find me,” she said with a grin.
The woman, who asked to not be identified, was among others who disagreed with the city’s new non-smoking ordinance for enclosed public places.
Some plan to defy the ordinance or go to places where smoking is allowed (bars, private clubs and retail tobacco stores).
Caddie’s Pub on Central Avenue is included in those exempt from the ordinance.
Matthew Schwartz, a Caddie’s manager, noticed only a slight increase in Wednesday’s lunch crowd.
“I’m sure in the long run, it will make a difference here,” said Schwartz, a non-smoker who would support a ban with no exceptions.
“If they want to smoke, they could go outside,” he said.
Peggy Idlewine, a smoker who ate lunch Wednesday at Caddies, said she might not eat as often at some of the restaurants she normally goes to where she can’t smoke.
Among the most vocal opponents of the ban are Home Folks owner Larry Misner and Kramer’s Kitchen owner Debbie Kramer.
Misner and Kramer said they would support a total city ban and that the current ordinance is discriminatory and unfair.
They believe they might have a case in court, but the cost to sue the city is more than they can afford.
“I don’t want to be defiant, but somebody has to stand up for something,” Misner said.
“If it’s a health issue, they need to do it for everyone,” Kramer said. “I’m standing up for what is right.”
The staff at Home Folks and Kramer’s are reminding customers that the ban is in effect, but are not making customers stop smoking.
Misner and Kramer said it is not their staff’s job to enforce the ordinance.
Roberta Phillips, a manager at Columbus Bowling Center, said she collected the center’s ashtrays and was prepared for negative feedback from her customers.
“Some said they would quit bowling. We’ll see,” Phillips said with a shrug.
Some Columbus restaurants always have been smoke-free, including Sadie’s Diner on 25th Street.
Owner Sadie Cress said she has customers who smoke, but they usually don’t mind doing it outside.
“I think it’s great,” she said about the city ban on smoking.
At Kramer’s Restaurant on Central Avenue, owner Joe Kramer said his wife’s downtown restaurant always did a better lunch business because she allowed smoking.
He decided to be smoke-free at the Central Avenue location, because the dining room is one room. He disagrees with the city ordinance and supports his wife.
“We have a lot of people who come in here who want to smoke,” Joe Kramer said.
One patron at Home Folks was a little frustrated that people are continuing to smoke.
“I don’t like the smoke,” she said in a hushed voice. “I heard people say they would be coming here more often.”
Misner posted signs in his restaurant stating that he believes smoking and second-hand smoke are bad for one’s health, and he encouraged people to quit smoking.
He added, however, that the new ordinance is “confusing and discriminatory” and asked for his customers’ patronage and friendship.
Judging by Wednesday’s business, many support Misner and his stand.
“Business is booming,” a waitress said.