"We have seen the sales tax reports from Columbia. And from that we have seen from that we've seen that there is no affect. Even in this economic downturn, the sales tax reports from restaurants and bars have not gone down, in fact it has increased. I know a lot of times people say, O these places close down. It's to our knowledge the places that closed down where the places that were going to close down anyways."
A smoking ban failed to pass in 2003, but Poettgen says times have changed. She says the St. Louis County's smoking ban approval will greatly influence Jefferson City.
".Things have changed. We are just gaining momentum by leaps and bounds. There are a lot of supporters in Jefferson City that we are hearing from and the council people are hearing from them also."
Paddy Malone's Pub owner Allen Patman was against the ordinance in 2003 but has since changed his restaurant to a smoke free establishment. Patman says he was against the ordinance because the ban would only restrict Jefferson City bars and not the neighboring towns. Patman says a new smoking ban would still economically hurt many bars.
"We had a unique situation in our place here, that we had an outdoor area that we were able to put a roof over and put up heaters and fans, to allow our smoking patrons to go outside in relative comfort. There are a number of places which depend upon a clientele that smokes that won't have that type of option here in town. A number of long establish bar businesses that I am pretty sure that it would hurt."
St. Louis County's approval of the smoking ban has reenergized the smoking debate in Jefferson City, as many residents are anxious to see whether or not their city will follow suit.
© Copyright 2010, KBIA