One of the key arguments put forward by the anti-smoking advocates during the campaign to pass the Helena smoking ban was that hospitality workers are at unusual and unnecessary risk of suffering the consequences of second-hand smoke.
Consumers may have a choice, they argued, but workers don't , even though it is acknowledged that most of the workers in licensed establishments are themselves smokers and may have sought the job in order to be able to smoke while on shift.
Problem is, when you do away with customers who are smokers, you also do away with business revenue and tips. Workers across the state were contacted to air their side of the story. They were asked, "Would you support a smoke ban in your jurisdiction, or would the trade-off in tips and revenue make it undesirable?"
Here's what they said:
Marion Salcido works at the Plaza Royale Casino in Butte.
"I don't agree with it. We've got a lot of customers who smoke and I think if we instituted a ban we'd lose a lot of business. When they were trying to get that ban passed in Helena, customers would comment to me, 'I wouldn't go into a place that doesn't allow smoking.'
"As far as health risks, I'm a smoker myself, so I really don't care if other people are smoking. A lot of my employees smoke too, and I don't think they'd want a ban either. If they had to abide by it, then I'm sure they would, but to me, it would be unfair."
Thomas Beaubien works at the Tall Pine Lounge in Bigfork.
"I'd be against it. I think most customers realize there's smoke involved in bars. If they don't like smoking, they don't have to come in. They have a choice.
"As for workers, they know it's an occupational hazard. I've done some elaborate work on smoke removal so it's not such a concern. I think smoking ought to be a business owner's choice.
Wilma Norsby works at the Commercial Bar in Townsend.
"I would not agree with a smoke ban. I don't think government has any business making that sort of decision for a tavern or casino. If a bar owner doesn't want smoking in his place, he can cut it out himself and find non-smoking customers. If an owner does allow smoking, non-smokers don't have to give him their business.
"I'm a smoker myself so I don't worry about the health concerns. But my boss and her husband are non-smokers and they've put in an exhaust system so it doesn't bother customers. Really, it should be their choice."
Brandon Martz works at the Jackpot Casino East in Bozeman.
"I'm against a smoke ban because a lot of people who come in here smoke. If they don't , there are plenty of non-smoking casinos they can go to. Actually, in Bozeman it seems like the majority of businesses are voluntarily going non-smoking.
"I think workers have a choice, too. You don't have to work in a casino. You know from the start that there are a lot of people who come to casinos for the smoking. If they don't come, we don't make money and, in turn, we don't make tips. That's pretty ridiculous if you think about it.
"I think owners and managers of taverns should be making these sorts of decisions, not the government."
Terry Ingwaldson works at the Mint Bar in White Sulphur Springs.
"I would totally disagree with it. The owner is losing income, I'm losing tips and everyone's losing their choice. It's my decision to work in a smoking casino; the public has a choice whether or not they want to come in. As far as health risks, I'm a smoker so I don't worry about it too much."
Diane Sabo works at Chick's Bar in Alder.
"I believe if a person doesn't want to work in an establishment where there's smoking, they don't have to. If you take away smoking, you're going to do away with the customers and people are going to lose employment. I think bars and casinos should be smoking. I think everyone should have a 'smoke-eater,' but as for smoking itself, it's a personal choice."
Doreen Gripentrog works at the Dixie Inn in Shelby.
"Smoking bans would be really bad for the bar business. I think when you're in a bar you have to expect smoke. I don't smoke myself, but I don't think I should impose my personal preferences on other people who do.
"If it really bothered me that much I wouldn't work in a bar. We have smoke-eaters and good ventilation and most of the time I hardly notice."
Terri Bingham works at Nickels Gaming Parlour in Helena.
"I believe in getting involved in the political issues that affect the business that I work for and my livelihood. And there is no other issue that has affected those of us in Helena more than the smoking ban in gaming establishments.
"As business dropped off, the businesses for which we work lost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and some owners were literally at the verge of losing their lifetime investments. As for those of us who work in the business, we saw our tips drop off by as much as half and our hours cut dramatically because we had no customers.
"While the ban was in effect from June 2002 until December 2002, we did the best we could to support our families even as we looked for second jobs to supplement our incomes.
"I didn't realize that the other side can fight dirty.
"We were called greedy and 'murderers for profit' and accused of being tools for Big Tobacco just because some casinos allowed people to smoke in their businesses while they enjoyed adult beverages and played the video gaming machines. That's pure baloney.
"It is odd that no other city in Montana has adopted a total ban ordinance. In fact, it was declared unconstitutional by a city court judge in Helena and addressed by the legislature because the state was losing gaming tax revenue. A banker testified at the legislature that his bank had concerns over the loan repayment by the casino in which I work.
"Now, the ordinance is before the Montana Supreme Court where justices have been asked by its supporters, who consist primarily of social reform groups, to decide its validity.
"I don't know how the smoking ban debate in Helena will end. All I know is that the doctors and lawyers on the other side will continue to receive exorbitant fees if the smoking ban passes while I will have to look for another job to support myself and my daughter. The owner of Nickels will lose his investment. I guess that's called 'collateral damage.'"
Source: Inside Gaming Montana
quarterly magazine for workers in the hospitality business, published by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.