Locals report little impact from smoking ban

Publication Date: 2012-07-20

• Author:Caitlin Huston
• Publication:Pharos-Tribune

Though the statewide smoking ban has been in effect for almost a month, the Logansport area is seeing little change.

The Indiana Smoke Free Air Law, which went into effect July 1, prohibits smoking inside all businesses, excluding private clubs, bars, casinos and retail tobacco shops. While some business in Logansport have seen a rise in business due to the law, neither the police department nor the Cass County prosecutor’s office have records of any citations...

On the business end, Ron Bullard, owner of Bullshippers Cafe at 830 E. Main St., said he had been pleased with the effect on business at his restaurant.

“It hasn’t hurt us at all,” Bullard said. “In fact, it helped us.”

Bullard said even the customers who smoke had continued to come back to Bullshippers.

To prepare for the smoking ban, Bullard said the restaurant washed and painted the walls in the half of the restaurant that previously permitted smoking, so that the smoke smell and residue are now gone. These changes have garnered many positive comments and new clientele, Bullard said.

“We should have done this a long time ago,” he said.

At Amelio’s & Ike’s at 431 S. Fifth St., floor manager Derick Hall said he had seen no change in clientele...