Local restaurant workers said the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act that went into effect on April 15 is not hurting business.
By: Joseph Harvie
Several township restaurant workers say a statewide ban on smoking in most public places has not hurt their businesses.
The ban, known as the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act, was signed into law by former Gov. Richard Cody on Jan. 15 and went into effect April 15.
Ray Crossman, manager of the Whitlock Tavern on Georges Road in Dayton, said that before the ban the restaurant offered only limited smoking, in the bar, and that the ban has not hurt business.
"A couple of people are not happy about it," he said. "But we have a gazebo in our outside area we call Hanley Park, and people can go over there and smoke while sitting. It’s really quite beautiful."
He said smokers have been going outside like it has always been the normal thing to do.
"A lot of people don’t smoke in their homes, especially if they live with a nonsmoker," he said. "And in the city people smoke outside, so some people are used to it."
Joe Pettignano, manager of Banditos Margarita Factory in the South Brunswick Square Mall, said the smoking ban has increased business.
He said the restaurant has an outdoor patio area where people can dine and smoke. He said the addition of a bar outside has also helped business.
In addition, he said, being able to seat people at any table inside has helped get more tables filled inside.
"When it took over it helped inside dining because more people came out to eat," he said. "We had the unfortunate setup of having one big room with no barriers to hold the smoke in. The smoke wouldn’t stay in one area and the nonsmokers could smell it. Now we don’t have that problem."
Patti Comerford, a bartender at Chauncey’s on Route 27 in Franklin Park, said the restaurant’s patronage has remained steady since the ban took effect.
"The smokers did all their griping the first week, which was expected, and now they go outside to smoke, like they’ve been doing it all along," she said.
More families have started come to the restaurant, as well, but the regulars have not strayed from their barstools.
"It’s pretty much the same old Chauncey’s," she said.

