I thought I'd share this article from The Other Paper, 1/26/06:

 

 

SMOKEASIES

Bars that don't enforce the smoking ban are beating the system

By Teena Parker and Erik Johns / January 26, 2006

 

It's 5:20 on an unseasonably sunny Friday afternoon. Outside a Columbus pub are sand-filled buckets for the cigarette butts of patrons who step outside to smoke.

 

Mostly, the buckets are for show.

 

Despite the city's year-old smoking ban, this is not an establishment that sends smokers out into the cold. The regulars all know the code. When a smoker orders his Bud or Miller Lite, he also requests an Altoids tin.

 

http://www.theotherpaper.com/cover.html

 

I'm kind of neutral on smoking bans.  I don't smoke, so I would love to breathe fresh air in every restaurant.  On the other hand, who am I to tell people what to do???  Tough situations, these smoking bans.

I kind of like the smoking ban. When I smoked I hated the smoking ban but ever since I quit I like it. I don't have to come home reeking of smoke! However, I definetly symphasize with the smokers. It sucks having to go out into the cold just to smoke a cigarette. It's ok though, according to "The Other Paper" only like 20% of bars are enforcing the law. I still see people lighting up all the time, just not quite as much.