Bars usher in smoke-free era

Alyssa Ahlberge, a server at Cheers Neighborhood Grill and Bar, was pleased to be working without having to breath in secondhand smoke thanks to the Ron Davis "Smoke Free Air" Law that took effect Saturday.

The legislation makes Michigan the 38th state to go smoke free, and three members of the Central Michigan District Health Department and a member of the CMD Health Board visited seven Mt. Pleasant establishments Saturday night "to celebrate the Smoke Free Law."

"Tonight, we are not on work time," said Melissa DeRoche, public information officer for the health department. "No one's getting paid. We are doing this because we believe in the Smoke Free Law."

Ahlberge's employer posted "No Smoking" signs at the doors, as the first smoke free night began, but she was concerned that business was down.

"We had people who would smoke up on our bar and people who would come in and eat just at the bar so they can smoke," said Ahlberge. "I have felt a great relief that I don't smell smokie, and I can breathe better when I'm working.

"It's a lot easier, I feel, to work in this environment. But, I'm afraid it may affect business."

DeRoche said the "premise behind the law was to protect people who work in these establishments."

Travis Foster walked in to Freddie's Tavern with a lit cigarette in his hand, and, as he took one step in, realized he was could no longer smoke there.

"I really think it's not fair for all the smokers across the whole United States really, especially in Michigan now," said Foster. "It's unfair for us to be segregated just like certain people not allowed in certain establishments."

Freddie's had no signs posted at their entrances, and wait staff told customers that if they wanted to smoke they had to step out the backdoor to light up.

Gary Welch of Lansing was dining at Freddie's who said he's a smoker and will continue to go to bars.

"You're still going to go to the bar, and you're still going to smoke," said Welch.

Randy Prout of Rosebush stood outside the backdoor of Marty's Bar and Grill with three other patrons who were smoking cigarettes, and said that he felt like he was "committing a crime by smoking."

"It wasn't put to a vote to me, and I'm a registered voter," said Tammy Andrews, who stood with Prout in the alley behind Marty's. "Smoking is not against the law.

"The state of Michigan makes so much money off the tobacco tax and to take that right away from us (is not fair).

"(We want) to be able to come in to our favorite establishment and have a cocktail and unwind after a hard days work and be able to light up a cigarette."

Marty's had the largest "No Smoking" signs of the seven bar establishments visited by health department representatives late Saturday.

Teresa Fuller was out with her mother and sister at Marty's, and she brought her e-cigarette to curb her need to light a cigarette. The e-cigarette does not create smoke, but still contains nicotine.

"It's all vapor, air vapor, you do get a little nicotine with it," said Fuller. "You have to charge it, but you just hit it.

"And you get a nicotine hit. No second hand smoke, so it's a good thing."

Jan Woodcock of Mt. Pleasant went to Rubbles, and she was happy about the Smoke Free Law, and she said she will go out a lot more now that she doesn't have to breathe in "nasty smoke."

"I see a lot of people in (Rubbles)," said Woodcock. "I don't think there's going to be any problem. People have talked about that and I think that's a non-issue."

The Bird Bar and Grill did not have "No Smoking" signs posted, but patron Bob Puddy did not mind standing outside to smoke.

"I think the new law is more of an infringement on businesses than on me," said Puddy. "The next thing on the chopping block will be fast food places. Eating there is worst than smoking."

Billy and Sarah Holey were out celebrating the new law at the Blackstone Bar where more than 15 people sat on benches and stood on the sidewalk to smoke.

It's nice to go out for the evening, and not smell like smoke," said Sarah Holey.

The Green Spot had signs on both entrances, and just after midnight, there were less than two dozen people in the establishment.