Home > Blogs > Battle of the Band > Archives > 2006 > November > 12 > Entry
No smoking
The list of cities banning smoking in public places grows with every election. Last Tuesday the voters in Ohio decided to make it illegal to smoke in public places, including bars and clubs.
So, what kind of effect will the smoking ban have on local music?
There are many American musical Mecca’s, such as Austin, Texas and Seattle, Washington, that have similar smoking bans to the one that begins here in December. Those cities obviously were not slowed by a smoking ban, and if fact the music scenes in Austin and Seattle may have been helped by the no smoking laws.
On the other hand, if people cannot smoke at bars any longer, then will the number of general bar patrons go down?
If yes, then one has to assume that the number of bar patrons going out to see live music will go down also. Right?
Let me know what you think about the smoking ban. If your a local music fan or a local musician I want to know how you think the smoking ban will effect the music scene, if at all.
Click on the comments button and let me hear your opinion.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Categories: Dayton Local Music
Comments
By Judy
November 19, 2006 12:18 PM | Link to this
I think the ban on smoking is taking our rights away,Unless it is ban in ALL states I think it should not be in effect,to me that is unconstitutional. I wonder what will be next!By Michael Boop
November 14, 2006 1:45 PM | Link to this
I am a working musician and have over 20 years of playing in local establishments. I have fought stage fright since I was a youth in the local school choir, causing me to virtually chain smoke while onstage. I am compelled to perform by some unknown inner drive, so I guess it’s time to face my inner demons. It’s gonna seem strange to perform without my smokes, but I will carry on. We play no clubs that prohibit smoking at this time so it will be a little different for us. Hopefully, the exodus that is bound to occur every 20 minutes or so as smokers go outside to light up will not be confused by club owners with displeasure with the band.By Laurie Blumenstock
November 13, 2006 2:55 PM | Link to this
What a sad day for Ohioians! We have coexisted for years now with smokers and nonsmokers alike with a compromise; We were greeted at most of our establishments with Smoking or Nonsmoking? It was a choice! Ohioians have decided to take that choice away. So, what’s next? Something you dearly enjoy! What if those of you who are over-weight have your portions of food reduced by law? All in an effort to reduce health care costs associated with obesity! What about our pets that cause allergies and harbor disease causing pleas! What about our cell phones which some studies have shown to cause cancer? What about shampoos, soaps, and even the deodorant you use everyday? The list goes on and on! You can do studies and prove almost anything is dangerous to your health! Wake up America! Do we want freedom or not?By Thomas Laprade
November 13, 2006 12:29 AM | Link to this
If the public was honestly and truthfully informed about the effects of second-hand smoke, there would be fewer no-smoking laws in this country. A little smoke from a handful of crushed leaves and some paper that is mixed with the air of a decently ventilated venue is going to harm or kill you? There has never been a single study showing that exposure to the low levels of smoke found in bars and restaurants with decent modern ventilation and filtration systems kills or harms anyone. As to the annoyance of smoking, a compromise between smokers and non-smokers can be reached, through setting a quality standard and the use of modern ventilation technology. Air ventilation can easily create a comfortable environment that removes not just passive smoke, but also and especially the potentially serious contaminants that are independent from smoking. Thomas Laprade Thunder Bay, Ont.By jobe
November 12, 2006 6:49 PM | Link to this
We’ve been having a conversation on this over at DaytonBands.com. Overall, it seems the musicians who’ve commented have been generally positive toward the ban, or don’t care either way. It’s been mentioned that perhaps club attendance will increase as the majority population are non-smokers and now they can attend shows without being subjected to smoke. Gillys has been smoke free for awhile and has been successful. Persoanally, I think clubs may need to shift business models to reflect our new social paradigm, and that’s how our economy works.