Richard Briggs, a Knoxville Republican and physician, the bill passed the upper chamber on a 21-8 vote. Frank Niceley, a Strawberry Plains Republican, claimed he grew up on second-hand smoke when he opposed the legislation on the Senate floor this year, arguing against it primarily on the grounds it encroached on the rights of private businesses.ĭespite Niceley’s relatively good health, second-hand smoke causes nearly 34,000 premature deaths from heart disease annually nationwide, and non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke have a 25-30% increase for the risk of heart disease. Second-hand smoke is believed to be nearly as dangerous as smoking. Yet lawmakers who passed the legislation this year said they were doing it mainly to protect the musicians, bartenders and waiters and waitresses who still work in clubs and bars that allow smoking. Nor should Metro Nashville be given that power, he adds. Regardless of whether the Legislature is controlled by Republicans or Democrats, though, they “shouldn’t be allowed to sit down and write legislation” that infringes on the rights of private businesses and individuals, Yunker says. Fran’s East Side, a legendary smoky dive in Nashville. He and Barber acknowledge that most of the bars on Broadway in the tourist area of Nashville have banned smoking already. Yunker says he can understand prohibitions on smoking at restaurants and places where children are allowed to go. If you can’t get in a bar and have a beer and a cigarette, it’s f-ed up,” Barber says. “The people who smoke now, they have no options. His friend Donnie Barber of Nashville is even more adamant. “As far as the people around you who don’t want to be close to cigarettes, move to the next table or go outside.” “If you’re above 21 years old and you’re in a bar and you’re drinking beer, you should be allowed to smoke a cigarette,” says Nashville resident Matt Yunker as he hangs out with buds on a recent day. But it’s still a favorite refuge during the day, with that old, familiar smell of stale smoke. Such a move could cause unrest in places such as Fran’s East Side where a longneck still costs only $2.50 and you’re free to fire up a butt.įran’s East Side typically packs in its biggest crowd at night. The mayor generally supports restricting smoking in bars. Bill Lee, the law takes effect July 1, and Metro Nashville Mayor John Cooper’s office is working closely with the Metro Health Department to explore wording for legislation the Metro Council could consider. ![]() That freedom to light up, though, could disappear in Metro Nashville clubs, even for the 21-and-up crowd, after the Legislature passed a measure enabling local governments to outlaw smoking in age-restricted venues, even honky tonks where people have been smoking and jamming for years. Known as one of the city’s best dive bars – now located on Dickerson Pike after decades in East Nashville – it offers karaoke, pool tables and a cloud of smoke on most nights. Fran’s East Side is no longer on Nashville’s east side, but regulars still enjoy a cold beer and a drag on a cigarette.
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