New Albany Smoking Ban is Now in Effect

A new public smoking ban is now in effect in New Albany, and some people are not thrilled with the law that took effect Friday. "We aren't second class citizens," says Union County resident Susan Hayes. "We are taxpayers, and we are the ones who pay the officials who have done this to us." The general manager at the Huddle House in New Albany says the first day of the new ban has brought some frustrations to both customers and employees. "I had some coffee drinkers fussing early this morning in the early hours that come," says Huddle House manager Vivian Norton. "We had two light up in here, and we had to ask them to please put them out." Will the ban affect business in Union County restaurants? Some seem to think it absolutely will. "This is my place where I spend time," says Hayes. "When I get tired and don't feel like doing anything else, I ride up here to smoke a cigarette, drink some coffee and eat a bite. I don't feel like I'll be doing much of that anymore." While some people are upset about the smoking ban, most restaurants already had a non-smoking policy. "We have never had smoking in the restaurant, so it really hasn't affected our business whatsoever," says Vainisi's owner Frank Vainisi. "There has been no change here at all." When asked about the ordinance, most citizens were either strongly for it or strongly against it. Either way, smokers will now have to step outside when lighting up.