Champion Billiards Designates Smoking Section

Well, another billiard chain, Champion Billiards, is backing smoker's will to light up in public in regions that have enacted legislation against the act.

At Champion Billiards, "smoking on the patio" signs have been keeping the air near the front entrance clean, but bar sales have been declining, said owner Gary Allen.

"The bar scene is late. They're just not having as many drinks as they would have," he said. "We do bands on the weekends. Before, it used to be full in here until 1 to 1:30 in the morning. Now it's starting to clear out around 12 to 12:30."

Bar sales are about 10 percent lower, but he is not sure whether to attribute that to a poor economy or the ban.

"This is all happening at the same time, so it's hard to say," Allen said.

At least 11 establishments in Maryland have appealed the ban by applying for waivers, and three have received waivers that are good through 2011.

While drink sales might be way off in some places, the ban seems to be causing a slight rise in food sales at Champion Billiards and Olde Towne Tavern.

"We can actually smell the food cooking throughout the restaurant instead of cigarette smoke, so that might have something to do with it," said Olde Towne bartender Shannon Waddy.

Waddy, a nonsmoker, enjoys one thing about the change: "I don't stink when I come home. I mean like I would smell like a slimy wet ashtray."

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Title: Champion Billiards Designates Smoking Section
Author: billiardsforum (Billiards Forum)
Published: 8/3/2008 11:56:00 AM

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