Honey Bee owner opposes restaurant smoking ban
January 24, 2006
Patrick Cronin
HAMPTON – Phil Englehardt, owner of Honey Bee Donut Shop in Seabrook, says he doesn’t want to see a proposed bill that would ban smoking in public restaurants and bars get passed. Englehardt says while he’s not a smoker, a lot of his customers are.
In fact, the restaurant has been smoker friendly since 1949.
“My own personal opinion is leave me alone, you bleeps,” Englehardt said. “There are some people who love tobacco, and they should be able to smoke where they want until its outlawed.”
He says if legislators think it’s so “freaking bad” then they should forget about the ban and just outlaw smoking.
Last week, the state House Commerce Committee held hearings on the proposed bill. Supporters said it would protect public health, but opponents said it would be an unwarranted government intrusion on individual rights.
The bill is now in the hands of a subcommittee and will probably reach the House floor for a vote in March.
State Rep. Sheila Francoeur, R-Hampton, is one of the prime sponsors of the bill. Ironically, in the past she has voted against such a ban.
“I think several things have changed since the last time this issue was brought up,” Francoeur said. “One of the reasons I voted against this in the past was the economic concern, if our restaurants are smoke-free, would business go across the boarder. That issue no longer exists as all the other New England states have gone smoke-free.”
Massachusetts enacted its smoking ban about a year and half ago.
Currently, restaurants in New Hampshire with fewer than 50 seats must have a separate smoking section.
Already, there are a lot of restaurants and lounges that are non-smoking establishments.
According to the American Lung Association, more than 50 percent of New Hampshire restaurants have already gone smoke-free.
The New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association, a one-time firm opponent of similar proposals, has become so divided on the bill that it will not support or oppose it.
“I think the biggest issue is protecting the workers and patrons from the dangers of second-hand smoke,” Francoeur said.
The Smoke-Free New Hampshire Alliance, a coalition of nonprofit groups and health-care advocates, maintains a smoking ban would improve the health of Granite Staters and save money.
Residents have lined up on both sides of the debate, with some saying they should be allowed to enjoy a cigarette with their meal and others saying they prefer they smoke elsewhere.
Englehardt said if a ban is approved it would only have a minor impact on his business.
“The good thing is that smokers wouldn’t be allowed to smoke in any establishment, so that levels the playing field,” Englehardt said.
But he would rather see businesses make the decision rather than it be in the hands of lawmakers.
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