Viewers are calling and e-mailing FactFinder 12 wondering how some area businesses can allow smokers to light up ahram. We looked into and found you’ll probably see it happen more often.
“There are more (businesses) doing it. You’ll find some doing illegally and I wouldn’t advise that, but we’re seeing a lot more open up smoke shops because that’s what their clientele asked for,” says State Rep. Brenda Landwehr.
Landwehr thinks the current law, which allows smoking in state owned casinos is hypocritical. She supports businesses using the tobacco shop exception.
Mike’s steakhouse was the first to do it when the law took effect.
His building has been split in half. On one side you’ll find Mike’s Steakhouse and on the other you’ll find Mike’s Smoke Shop.
“This is a separate address, it has a separate corporation, separate shareholders and ventilation system,” says owner Craig Gabel.
The law says it has to be separate and 65 percent of the gross profits have to come from tobacco sales.
Now that the casino is open, Landwehr says don’t be surprised if you see more businesses finding a way to do it.
“I think people are trying to figure out how to make their businesses survive,” says Landwehr.
Tags: cheap beratt cigarettes, tobacco shop