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Home > What's New > Restaurant Smoking Ban Begins in Connecticut
Restaurant Smoking Ban Begins in Connecticut
Posted: Wednesday, October 01, 2003
By Michael S. Marsh If you're heading out to dinner tonight in Connecticut, you might want to think twice about bringing your cigars. Or at least be prepared to light up in the parking lot. Today, Connecticut joins such states as New York, California and Florida in putting a strict, statewide antismoking law into effect.
The Connecticut ban affects all restaurants, bars and offices with more than five employees. The legislation was introduced earlier this year and had gained support -- including that of the Connecticut Restaurant Association -- by the time it reached the Senate and the House of Representatives, where it passed by overwhelming majority on May 7.
At the time, Gov. John G. Rowland told WTIC-AM radio in Hartford that he was "philosophically" opposed to a smoking ban and that he was hesitant to "intervene in the business operation." Nonetheless, on May 24, Rowland signed the ban into law, claiming that health issues surrounding smoking were too great to ignore.
Some businesses have a reprieve -- at least for the time being. While most restaurants and bars within eateries must go smoke-free today, establishments with a café or tavern permit can continue to allow smoking until April 1. Bars in bowling alleys, off-track betting parlors and dog tracks are also exempt until April. Fraternal organizations, such as Rotary Clubs and VFW posts, and tribal casinos are completely exempt.
Smoking will also be allowed in cigar bars and established clubs that were granted special permits prior to May 1, 2003. One such beneficiary is Gregory George, the owner of American Male, an old-fashioned barber shop and spa in Ridgefield with a Cognac and cigar room.
"I saw the writing on the wall," said George, who filed for a permit last November. "But I never thought it would happen and I didn't anticipate it happening. In fact, I'm really surprised that it passed with such ease."
George doesn't agree with the smoking ban, but he admits that American Male could benefit from the ban.
"People need a place to go to relax and unwind," he said. "Tobacco has a soothing effect and smoking a cigar is like a personal time-out. When I built this place, I had that in mind."
George added that he feels "bewildered" that smoking and tobacco is slowly being regulated out of business, especially in a state like Connecticut where tobacco has a long and enduring history. Along the Connecticut River, verdant tobacco fields and monstrous curing barns once dominated the landscape. While many of those fields and barns have fallen victim to developers, the tobacco industry is still a visible and vital part of the state, and Connecticut broadleaf and shade tobacco remain some of most sought-after cigar leaf in the world.
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