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Montana Smokers Face First Bitter Cold Snap Since Smoking Ban

Montana Smokers Face First Bitter Cold Snap Since Smoking Ban

By KFBB News Team

Story Created: Dec 9, 2009 at 5:43 PM MST

Story Updated: Dec 9, 2009 at 5:46 PM MST

Many people are trying their best to stay indoors during these bitter cold snaps. But this year, smokers have no choice but to step outside, thanks to the Clean Indoor Air Act. We wanted to find out how they're reacting to the change.

"Who wants to go outside and smoke a cigarette right now?” Mona Yeagley, manager of Smoker’s Express says it’s too cold to go outside to smoke. “And I think the people who take smoke breaks, I'm sure they don't like having to go outside and smoke a cigarette."

In fact, it seems smokers don't even want to go out and buy cigarettes. It was a slow day at Smoker's Express; employees say most of their regular customers stocked up before this recent cold snap started, and the few that do pop in complain about the cold weather. Yet things aren't as slow at the Black Eagle Country Club.

"The first couple of cold snaps, people tend to stay indoors more and they tend to react to the initial cold,” explained the bar’s manager, Rich Pavlonis. “And then there's like a general awareness that they remember they're living in Montana and this is how winters are and they begin going about their normal life."

Outdoor patios are the normal thing for smokers now, and they'll most likely sit empty when the temperature is well below zero. Still, Pavlonis says while he's not losing customers in the bar, his gaming machines are not pulling in as much money as they did before the smoking ban.

"I think you get more complaints about the weather in general,” he added. “Not about how the weather is affecting their ability to smoke."

It seems most people are reluctant to step outside, whether it's to smoke or not. That’s why many bars and casinos around Great Falls have built covered patio areas to keep customers more comfortable during the cold winter months.

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Thomas Laprade said on Thursday, Dec 10 at 9:48 PM

If the public was honestly and truthfully informed about the effects of second-hand smoke, there would be fewer no-smoking laws in this country. A little smoke from a handful of crushed leaves and some paper that is mixed with the air of a decently ventilated venue is going to harm or kill you? There has never been a single study showing that exposure to the low levels of smoke found in bars and restaurants with decent modern ventilation and filtration systems kills or harms anyone.

JD said on Thursday, Dec 10 at 11:37 AM

Everyone knows this is ridiculous. This is just the government trying to tell us how to live. Well the government is not doing to great themselves obviously so why should they tell us that we cant smoke. For info on how to beat the bans and smoke wherever you want visit http://www.Crown7.com for more info.

Bob said on Thursday, Dec 10 at 3:23 AM

They might have the same number of customers, but when they go to their car to smoke, they leave. I remember seeing that in Colorado last winter.

WW said on Wednesday, Dec 9 at 7:28 PM

Multiple addictions go together, smoking, gambling and alcohol. Go figure.

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