Some Restaurants Going Smoke Free Even Without State Law

Publication Date: 2005-05-26

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• Publication:WFMY NEWS 2 (NC)

While some restaurant owners claim smoking ban would have devestating effect on business, others say it has the opposite effect.

Some Piedmont restaurant owners fear a statewide smoking ban will snuff out profits, and drive loyal customers away.

But at least one restaurant in Greensboro says its decision to go smoke free actually created the exact opposite effect.

Pizza Inn on Battleground voluntarily went smoke free in late March. Since then, Manager Kimberly Wyke says her restaurant has seen an 11% increase in revenues.

"Sales have definitely gone up. And 9 out of 10 people who comment about it are supportive of the change," says Wyke.