Bar owners go unpunished in Charleston smoking 'duel'

By Eric Eyre
Charleston Gazette

CHARLESTON August 21, 2008 12:37 pm

— About a dozen bars in Kanawha County dared the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department to take action on a county smoking ban this week by encouraging patrons to light up indoors.
But with no intention of entering into a 'duel' with these business owners, health department officials refused to cite the anyone for the violations.
According to the Charleston Gazette, many bar owners in the area have been against the county's clean indoor air regulations since they were instated by the health department July 1. Reports state that the owners have said the ban has had detrimental effects on their alcohol and video lottery sales.
In an effort to defy the system and make a point, several bar owners decided earlier this week to announce they were allowing smoking at their establishments.
Bar owners go unpunished in Charleston smoking 'duel'