Nice weather will test smoking ban

Though the smoking ban has had little effect on local sports bars so far, the true test begins soon with the arrival of warmer weather.

"My biggest problem is what is going to happen when it is really nice out," said Tom Slynn, general manager at Duffy's, in the 400 block of  W. Diversey. There could be a bigger problem with more people outside.  He said Duffy's will require smokers to be at least 30 feet away from the bar's open windows.   

Outdoor beer gardens and dining areas are very popular in the summer. If the area is not enclosed, it is not considered inside. It will be up to the discretion of the restaurant or bar whether to permit smoking in these outdoor areas. 

However, the same outdoor rules do apply as they would near a building's entrance. Anyone wishing to smoke in a beer garden or outdoor-eating area must do so at least 15 feet from the door leading to the restaurant's interior.  

This could have a more direct effect on their neighbors. 

"Now there is a hospital right there, I don't know if they are going to complain," Slynn said.  

While the summer may add a new aspect, the smoking ban, which into effect on Jan. 1,  has not affected attendance at sports bars in Chicago.

"I don't think it has really changed anything," said Jen Pellant, shift manager at McGee's, located at 950 W. Webster Ave. in Lincoln Park.  "It's not turning out to be that huge of an issue." 

Slynn said he has not seen a difference.  "There is no noticeable change in the amount of customers."  Pellant added, "If people want to go out and watch sports, the fact that they can't smoke isn't going to keep them away." 

One of the primary goals of the ban was to protect the customers from seond-hand smoke and to provide employees with a smoke-free work environment in which to earn a paycheck.  Others argued that the ban would disturb neighboring businesses and residents and create more litter.  

Slynn said that though the bar provided ashtray stands outside the establishment, most patrons still discard their butts on the sidewalk.  

"We already had a practice in place to sweep our sidewalks thoroughly at the end of each night, Pellant said.  "It wasn't a huge deal for us to clean it up at the end of the night, and make it all nice again." 

Not much has changed over four months; however, the upcoming warm weather may add a new dynamic. 

Pellant said, "If New York can do it; if Boston can do it; if LA can do it; then in Chicago we can live through it."