Restaurants Say Smoking Ban Affects Bottom Line

WASHINGTON - It's been four months since D.C.'s smoking ban went into effect, and local restaurant owners say it's been tough so far.

"Places that are hurt are bars, pool places and places where people tend to drink more than eat," says Andrew Kline, general counsel for the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington.

He says 35 percent of members claim revenues have gone down since January.

Any business that can prove it has lost 15 percent or more can now apply for temporary relief from the ban.

"We expect that some of our members will attempt to take advantage of that."

If a waiver is granted, the restaurant would be allowed to offer smoking in up to 25 percent of its seating.

Cafes and places with outdoor seating have weathered the ban a lot easier, Kline says.

Smokefree D.C., which backed the ban, says other areas have shown smoking bans ultimately benefit business.

In Montgomery County, for example, it says restaurant sales taxes were up nearly 8 percent in the first 16 months of the ban.

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