KENT COUNTY -
In just a few weeks, the bars and restaurants across the state will clear the air, as Michigan's smoking ban goes into effect May 1.
"I just think this is a fabulous day for Michigan. We've been waiting a long, long time," said Dr. Thomas Peterson from Tobacco Free Partners.
Right now Buffalo Wild Wings has a smoking section.
"All we can do is educate our guests about what's up and coming," Jeff Carmody, the regional manager for Buffalo Wild Wings.
While their educating the staff, they're not really sure what to expect when the ban goes into effect.
"We don't know how are guests are going to react. We've been through this in Chicago at our locations and it went over pretty well. Same thing in Louisiana it takes about a couple of weeks for those smokers just to adjust to it," said Carmody.
At Peppino's Sports Bar downtown Grand Rapids. They knew this day was coming so they opened, smoke free.
"The customers they travel because they heard we're non-smoking and people that enjoy sports and the whole atmosphere downtown there's no where like it," Joe Dileonado, owner of Peppino's Sports Bar.
Right now Peppino's ahead of the competition but soon everyone will be on a level playing field.
"So I'm hoping we don't lose them to bars that go non-smoking or restaurants," said Dileonado.
Restaurants will have to remove ashtrays and post no smoking signs. At buffalo wild wings they say they're not changing their philosophy.
Tobacco Free Partners working with the American Cancer Society say they will push hard to educate the public starting next month about the smoking ban.
Just keep in mind smoking will still be allowed at the Detroit casinos and casinos on sovereign land, cigar bars and tobacco speciality stores.
"I just think this is a fabulous day for Michigan. We've been waiting a long, long time," said Dr. Thomas Peterson from Tobacco Free Partners.
Right now Buffalo Wild Wings has a smoking section.
"All we can do is educate our guests about what's up and coming," Jeff Carmody, the regional manager for Buffalo Wild Wings.
While their educating the staff, they're not really sure what to expect when the ban goes into effect.
"We don't know how are guests are going to react. We've been through this in Chicago at our locations and it went over pretty well. Same thing in Louisiana it takes about a couple of weeks for those smokers just to adjust to it," said Carmody.
At Peppino's Sports Bar downtown Grand Rapids. They knew this day was coming so they opened, smoke free.
"The customers they travel because they heard we're non-smoking and people that enjoy sports and the whole atmosphere downtown there's no where like it," Joe Dileonado, owner of Peppino's Sports Bar.
Right now Peppino's ahead of the competition but soon everyone will be on a level playing field.
"So I'm hoping we don't lose them to bars that go non-smoking or restaurants," said Dileonado.
Restaurants will have to remove ashtrays and post no smoking signs. At buffalo wild wings they say they're not changing their philosophy.
Tobacco Free Partners working with the American Cancer Society say they will push hard to educate the public starting next month about the smoking ban.
Just keep in mind smoking will still be allowed at the Detroit casinos and casinos on sovereign land, cigar bars and tobacco speciality stores.
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