April 28, 2010
Steve Aemisegger, Owner, Hillside Lanes, MI
On voluntarily going smokefree: "I wish I had done it sooner. I got so tired of coming to work and breathing that stale smoke smell. I just thought for the longevity of the business, it was time for a change. Sometimes, a business has to reinvent itself. We did lose a few league bowlers, but what we gained in open bowling and outings far exceeded what we lost. Our total lineage was up for the past year. We're getting families back into the bowling center."
Quoted In:
Pryson, M., "Hillside Lanes ahead of the game after imposing smoking ban a year ago," Jackson Citizen Patriot, April 24, 2010.
Joyce Ann Hoagland, First Vice President of the State 600 Club
Regarding a smokefree policy adopted by the Bowl-O-Drome: "It's very clean looking, and eye-appealing. Being smoke-free is the best. It has enhanced the opportunity for more kids and families to come out and bowl."
Quoted In:
Lawrence, S., "Bowling is back," Ithaca Times, October 31, 2007.
Wayne Martin, Co-owner, Royal Crest Lanes, Lawrence, KS
“I thought our business would drop off the table, I truly did…[but] Our business has increased and that’s the surprising thing, and it’s a great thing because what we’re finding out is more people are bringing their families who wouldn't come in before because it smelled like smoke and they didn't want their kids around all that smoke but our open play business has increased…It’s kind of a blessing in disguise.”
Quoted In:
Thompson, B., "Smoke-free ordinances gaining steam," Kansas Public Radio, August 21, 2006.
Matt Cannizzaro, Spokesman, United States Bowling Congress
"I don't think the smoking ban deterred anyone from coming. (Bowlers) know the rules and I didn't hear any complaints."
Quoted In:
Aguilar, E., "Bowlers OK with ban on smoking: officials' conclusion after tournament - ordinance a non-issue," Corpus Christi Caller-Times, July 9, 2006.
Brian Lewis, Director, United States Bowling Congress
Lewis stated that bowlers as a whole are no more likely to smoke than members of the general public, and "we are a very grassroots sporting event."
Quoted In:
Aguilar, E., "Bowlers OK with ban on smoking: officials' conclusion after tournament - ordinance a non-issue," Corpus Christi Caller-Times, July 9, 2006
Kevin Erickson, Manager, Rim Country Lanes, Payson, Arizona
On the results of a voluntary smokefree policy: "We've had more people thank us. They say they'll be coming back because we're going smoke-free."
Quoted In:
Megdal, F., "Bowling alley bans smoking," Payson Roundup, May 9, 2006.
Paula Gaines, Owner, Totem Bowl in Kirkland, Washington
On the topic of her decision to make her bowling alley smokefree, with the exception of a smokers lounge: "A lot of people I talk to say they used to bowl but they don't go anymore because of the smoke. We have a lot of birthday parties and families come in here, and a lot of them just don't want to be around it."
Quoted
in:
Timmerman, L., "Hate smoke? Then this is right up your alley,"
Seattle Times, August 22, 2000.
Vicki Maxwell, Manager, Galaxy Lanes in Kanawha City, West Virginia
On the possibility of the local board of health requiring that bowling alleys go smokefree, states, "Hallelujah. I have more complaints about smoking. I pray it will be changed."
Quoted In:
Cox, T.S., "Smokers' safe havens may be stamped
out: health officials may strengthen ban on public smoking," Charleston
Daily Mail, March 20, 2002.
Hall of Fame bowler Dave Husted, Owner, Milwaukee Bowl, Portland, Oregon
On his decision to prohibit smoking at Milwaukee Bowl, says it was a "push...we lost some smokers, but we regained some non-smokers."
Quoted In:
Evans,
Dick, "Florida's Voters May Throw Bowling Industry A Gutter Ball In November,"
Indiana Bowling Centers Association Newsletter, Winter, 2002
Tom Romanik, Owner, Cloverleaf Lanes, Miami, Florida, Past President, Florida Bowling Proprietors Association
"I think the non-smoking law if it passes will be a good thing for bowling in the long run. Bowling is a healthy game, so I think we should provide the public with a healthy environment and let the chips fall where they may."
Quoted In:
Evans, Dick, "Florida's
Voters May Throw Bowling Industry A Gutter Ball In November," Indiana
Bowling Centers Association Newsletter, Winter, 2002
Dick Evans, Writer
Regarding smokefree bowling tournaments states, Mr. Evans writes, "[L]isten, both the American Bowling Congress and Women's International Bowling Congress' national championship tournaments are drawing more and more entries despite the fact that the almost 100,000 contestants are not allowed to smoke during competition."
Quoted In:
Evans, Dick, "Florida's Voters May Throw Bowling Industry A Gutter Ball In November," Indiana Bowling Centers Association Newsletter, Winter, 2002
Monica Goettel, Spin Alley Bowling Center, Shoreline, Washington
"The biggest benefit that I have seen since becoming a smoke-free bowling center is that it is a place families enjoy coming to."
Quoted In:
Apa, J., Varahrami, M, "Public Health News Release," Seattle and King County Public Health, Public Health Tobacco Prevention Program, American Lung Association of Washington, Thursday, July 26, 2001.