Smoking Ban Anniversary

Publication Date: 2005-06-26

• Author:Dan Bazile
• Publication:WNYT NBC-13 (Albany, NY)

It has been two years since public restaurants and establishments went smoke free

The state-wide ban does not seem to be hurting business, but it is a much different story for one local diner.

On any given Sunday, smokers are usually puffing away inside the local Menands Diner on Broadway in Menands. The state wide smoking ban put an end to it and the owner says business has never been the same. "I would notice people not coming in anymore. If they come in it's not as often as they used to."

Two years after the smoking ban, the small family diner is losing approximately seven grand a month. The owner says that is a lot for a small business. . . .

According to the post star newspaper, our media partner, many local establishments are doing just fine with the smoking ban. In an informal survey of ten places, five in Saratoga Springs and five in Glens Falls, nine said business is great and has even improved. . . .

The owner and workers at Menands Diner say they too enjoy a smoke free workplace, but it comes at a price they simply can't afford.