Businesses gearing up for no smoking on December 1

 

 

 

NORFOLK -- Bars, restaurants and nightclubs are getting ready for the Dec. 1 no smoking ban.

Some places will no longer accommodates smokers; others say they don't want to lose money that smokers bring in.

Dennis Dowdy with The Banque is one of them.

He's finishing a new 800-square foot room that will have its on AC system, a large screen TV, aquariums and more.

"They'll be in here, but they can still see the dance floor from out there," he says. "It's designed so that they're not just put in a corner and told to go smoke in that room. It's going to be a beautiful room for them."

Anna Belle, co-owner of the country-western club, lost her brother to lung cancer.

She can't wait for the change.

"I am so excited. I have been pulling for non-smoking for years. I quit smoking. I became a non-smoker 32 years ago, so I am very excited that we can have this wonderful space to be in," she noted.

Private clubs are exempt from the no-smoking rule.