Non-Smoking w/ Food or Smoking w/o Food

Bank2Win

Bank2Win

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
It has been a couple of years now since california has become a 100% non-smoking state in public establishments. Does anyone know how this affected the pool rooms. Did it have a negative effect. Less revenue, less customers, etc. Or was it the opposite.

Recently Nevada, proposed a similar idea that would allow owners to choose to either serve food but then establishment would be non-smoking. or they could not serve food, and smoking would be permitted.

Will having food increase the bottom line. Or is just about a wash.

I personally do not smoke so i would love to see non smoking rooms everywhere.
 
Good thing for pool....in the LONG run that is.

I only know what I have heard from pool room owners that attend BCA shows. Every single one said the same thing. It was a difficult adjustment that was long overdue. They all said that business dropped for the first 3mos to a year. They also said those rooms that went under were the dinosaur rooms that had no retail sales or very little alcohol. The so-called "old fashioned" pool rooms. They said over time that since 80% of Californians are non smokers that they are busier than ever. They all say they wish it would have happened years ago. Not to belittle the rooms that went under but it was just another market change that happens in EVERY industry. If you dont change and give the public what they want...you go under. Keeping up with the times is a difficult task in an industry that is constantly longing for the "old days".
 
Smoking Ban

The smoking ban hit me hard in Massachusetts. I immediately lost 30% of my business. I'm a smoker. I resented the State telling me how I had to run my business. I still do. Business has yet to return to previous levels.
I do have to say that the atmosphere is much better. My smoking customers don't appreciate having to go outside to smoke but they are starting to get used to it. It's going to take some time (and unfortunatly we take a significant hit). Get over it. It's the way of the future.
I would advise those of you in States that still allow smoking to start preparing. It's only a matter of time. A fortunate Bar in my area was able to construct an outdoor deck that accomondated 100+ people. They're eating our lunch! It won't be long before the entire country bans smoking. The sooner you prepare for it, the better off you'll be.
 
Good luck cuetime. From what I have heard from other room owners around the country is that if you go after the nonsmokers and survive the slowtime, then business should be UP after about a year or so. You are right that the time is coming for the entire country to go nonsmoking. At least you had the foresight not to ignore it like some owners. Good luck. Keep us posted on progress.
 
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