number 52
Posted by: Matt McCormick
Smoke-free bars come to Oregon!
Posted by: josh
Starting January 1, 2009, if you want to smoke, you've got to take it outside.
Since January 2002, all Oregon workplaces were smoke-free except for bars, bingo halls, and other such dens of iniquity. But while Oregon was stuck with smoky pubs, other cities and states have been outlawing smoking in public outright. And by and large, they've found, contrary to tobacco companies' claims, that it doesn't drive bars out of business. In fact, in many cases, revenue improved. Plus, it's been easier to keep employees happy and healthy. Even bartenders that smoke don't tend to enjoy 8 hours a day of secondhand.
Depending on what side of the issue you fall on, you now have a new reason to celebrate or loathe the new Democratic-controlled Oregon Legislature.
Me, I'm just looking forward to heading down to the bar and playing some pinball without my clothes and hair reeking of smoke.
