Smoking ban producing mixed opinions in Newton

It has been nearly two months since the ban on smoking in public establishments became law in Iowa. Has the ban had a positive or a negative effect on businesses in Jasper County? That depends on who you ask. Marge Horstman, who owns Midtown Café in Newton, has been surprised at the effect the smoking ban has had on her restaurant. “I think it’s helped us,” Horstman said. “I figured it would hurt us, because so many of our customers smoked.” She added that business throughout the week has not been outstanding, but Saturday and Sunday have been very good. “We had a few complaints at first, but they know there’s nothing I can do about it,” Horstman said. “Plus, it smells better in here,” she added. At the Scoreboard Bar and Grill on the north side of the Newton square, Cory Walker has a different opinion. “I’ve been in business nearly 10 years, and I haven’t seen it this slow since the first round of layoffs at Maytag,” Walker said. Business was down 20 percent in July, he said, the worst July he’s ever seen, and the order level from his suppliers has been consistently down. “People just aren’t going out,” Walker said. “I’ve got my non-smoking regulars who haven’t changed their habits, but I think (the government) is going out of its way to close us up. Jasper County is supposedly number one for unemployment, but they haven’t helped us yet.” Walker said if conditions don’t improve soon, he will have to lay off several employees. Including part-time employees, Walker employs nine at the Scoreboard. Mike Benson of Heartland Vending Co. based in Marshalltown, provides vending services to Walker and many other bars in central Iowa. Benson said he has seen revenue losses of 30 to 60 percent in some locations. “The ban has directly affected liquor by the drink establishments,” Benson said, “and I’m told we account for 30 percent of the entertainment industry. He said he had heard that a “substantial number” of accounts are considering not renewing their liquor licenses. Currently, the law prohibits smoking in any public restaurant or bar and any outdoor sporting event. Exemptions include gaming areas of casinos, the Iowa State Fairgrounds and the Iowa Veterans’ Home. Walker noted that the exemptions are all beneficial to the state’s revenues. But Walker cited other losses in revenue to the state due to the smoking ban. “If you figure $20 per carton in taxes to the state, that’s $1,200 per month lost from my bar alone,” Walker said.