HILO >> Restaurants on the Big Island may follow Honolulu and Maui in becoming smoke-free under a bill proposed by a Hawaii County councilwoman. Big Island contemplates
smoke-free restaurantsAssociated Press
Hilo Councilwoman Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd said her proposal follows no-smoking laws passed this year on Oahu and Maui along with a bill the Kauai County Council is expected to approve.
The Big Island measure would ban smoking in restaurants, nightclubs, bars and bowling alleys. Violators would be subject to fines of up to $25.
A County Council committee is scheduled to discuss the measure Tuesday in Hilo.
"I think we'll probably have some interesting discussions on this," Leithead-Todd said.
Leithead-Todd said while debate elsewhere centered around workers' safety and loss of business, she has seen studies that found customers did not leave if the bans were applied to all establishments.
Some bar owners were critical of the measure.
"I think it's taking away people's rights," said John Politano, manager of Charley's Bar and Grill in Keaau. "I just think it's going to pretty much make it harder to run our business."
Ken Takahashi, owner of Shooters Bar and Grill in Hilo, agreed.
"That would make it very difficult for us," he said. "I think a lot of customers that I know that come to our bar light up after having a couple beers."
County of Hawaii
