Three Rivers helps businesses prepare for smoking ban

Somewhere in Kathy Kneifl’s office is her desk. It’s behind the boxes of materials that she has been getting out to area businesses as June 1 approaches.

As environmental health coordinator at Three Rivers District Health Department, Kneifl has been working to help business owners and managers comply with the Nebraska Smoke-Free Air Law that takes effect soon.

As of June 1, all indoor workspaces and public places throughout the state must be smoke-free. That means smoking won’t be allowed inside restaurants and bars throughout the state.

Kneifl said the public health department is a perfect fit to help local business owners and managers implement the new law.

“All health departments through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services are doing this,” Kneifl said. “We got some funding to get materials and signage to educate people about the law. We did some advertising in utility bills. We got things out to key businesses. We got coasters for some of the hospitality industry.”

The new law is designed to promote a healthier lifestyle.

“Not smoking is a healthy behavior,” she said. “Research shows that even a waitress working in a restaurant that is filled with cigarette smoke is just like her smoking 12 to

15 cigarettes. That’s how dangerous a room packed with smoke is to someone who does not smoke. This is to make it safer for people.

“The Legislature was convinced that we have a serious problem and we need to protect citizens. It is difficult for many small businesses whose clientele is mostly smokers. It’s going to be hard for them for a while.”

She said many owners and managers of restaurants and bars are concerned the changes will reduce their revenues, especially in a slower economy.

“Some of these smaller businesses �” mostly mom and pop places �” are concerned about the rollover,” she said. “I think if we all work together, we can all get through this change.”

The task of the staff at Three Rivers is to help get information to business owners and managers and to the public, the people who patronize these businesses.

“The more information we can get out there and the more information the public knows the smoother the rollover will be,” Kneifl said. “People will have to get used to it.”

But not every business owner and manager is waiting to see what happens.

“A lot of businesses are being proactive and opening up outdoor areas �” patios and beer gardens,” she said. “That was their answer to offer their clientele a place to step out and smoke. We’re just trying to give them support.”

Until the law has been in place for a while and people �” especially smokers �” get used to the change, there will be an uncertainty factor, she said.

“People aren’t sure how it will affect their businesses,” she said. “There’s always that fear whenever there’s a big change like this. We’re just trying to work with them and stay positive. We’re reminding them that it will take a little bit of time for people to get used to this.

“Like everything else, there are two sides to every story. We just have to try to bring these two sides together and make it work for everybody.”