BELLEVUE, Ky. — A northern Kentucky city is about to become the second in the last six months to adopt a smoke free ordinance. While health officials say these ordinances improve the health outcomes in the cities they’re implemented in, others have argued the policies take away people’s freedom.
One bar owner in Bellevue said he can understand both sides of the argument.
Ben Haggarty became owner of the B-List Bar in Bellevue about 19 years ago.
“The whole concept, as opposed to the A-list, we’re for everyone else,” Haggarty said. “We are the classic, old-school meeting hall, neighborhood bar in the heart of a residential district, here in the heart of this historic district for Bellevue. Surrounded by houses on all sides, it is basically again the neighborhood meeting spot.”
When Haggarty bought the place, it was a full smoking bar. For the last 10 years or so, smoking has been allowed, but only after 10 pm.
“Because there was seemingly a demand for non-smoking areas where people could come and have a drink and not have to smell like an ashtray when they got home or disrobe before they even entered their house, kind of thing, which I totally get. As a reformed smoker, I understand what that is like for folks and for staff and so on,” Haggarty said.
Now, things are changing again. On May 15, Bellevue will become the 34th Kentucky city to implement a comprehensive citywide smoke-free ordinance. Smoking will be completely prohibited indoors in any Bellevue building or place of employment where the public is invited or permitted.
“For me, I mean, I get it on both sides. I think an opportunity is missed if you don’t leave it up to the individual business owners. We all make choices,” Haggarty said.
Dayton had a similar ordinance go into effect in November.
According to the Northern Kentucky Health Department, communities with these policies see reduced rates of tobacco use, reduced second-hand smoke exposure, improved air quality, fewer young people start smoking, and reduced hospitalizations and health care costs.
“I think the evidence is really clear that secondhand smoke and tobacco use causes health effects. And so there’s really not a lot of dispute around the health effects and the science behind the data that we see anymore,” said Northern Kentucky Health Department Director of Population Health Stephanie Vogel. “And I think it’s also good when you start to have a few communities that pass ordinances, others are able to build on that momentum.”
Lexington will soon hit 20 years with a comprehensive policy and the following improvements have been noted, according to the health department:
- Lexington restaurant and bar workers’ hair nicotine levels declined by 56% and they were less likely to report breathing problems whether they smoked.
- 22% decline in ER visits for asthma in the 32 months after Lexington’s smoke-free law took effect.
- 32% decline in the smoking rate, resulting in 16,500 fewer smokers for an estimated annual health care cost savings of $21 million
“When it’s mandated, you’re always going to get resistance from certain people just because they don’t want to feel oppressed. And in reality, they’re not being oppressed, because their habit, their choice is affecting others around them,” he said. “I accept it. I think it’s going to be good for the community. I’m completely ok with that. But I do believe that there could be some unintended consequences for establishments like mine where we’re in the heart of residential.”
In the case of his bar, Haggarty said the ordinance could lead to people smoking in front of other people’s houses.
“So it’s kind of difficult to see what’s going to happen as a result of me pushing patrons out onto the sidewalks or onto the patio to smoke. A lot of these rules mandate a proximity rule, so 10 feet from the building itself,” he said. “The city responded and had their ordinance indicate that it would be 10 feet from any open door or window, or window that could open, which would allow people to still be within the confines of our little area here on the corner.”
Every business has its challenges. Haggarty said he’s not sure yet how big of a challenge this change will be for his business. But he’ll play by the rules, even if it takes some of his customers some getting used to.
Highland Heights, another northern Kentucky community, had a first reading of its own proposed smoke-free ordinance at a city council meeting in April. A vote could take up to a few months.
