A ban on smoking in New Jersey restaurants and bars will take effect soon, but Philadelphians are not expecting an exodus of Jersey smokers to flock to their establishments.
On Sunday, New Jersey acting Gov. Richard Codey signed into law a bill that prohibits smoking in all restaurants and bars, casinos exempted. The law will take effect in about three months.
While Philadelphia businesses had previously complained that legislation limiting public smoking, which has been proposed by members City Council, would drive away patrons, there is little expectation that the New Jersey smoking ban will drive smokers across the Delaware into Philadelphia establishments.
"I would be highly skeptical that [Philadelphia businesses] would feel the effect" of the New Jersey ban, said Central Philadelphia Development Corporation spokeswoman Elise Vider.
Meanwhile, transit authorities that service New Jersey and Philadelphia are not planning for any increases in ridership due to the ban.
"At this point, we don't see any reason that [the ban] would increase our travelers," said SEPTA spokesman Jim Whitaker. PATCO, the line which connects Philadelphia and Souther New Jersey, and N.J. Transit also have no plans to change their services to accommodate more passengers heading for Philadelphia.
Pennsylvania is now increasingly surrounded by states with smoking bans. In 2002, Delaware banned smoking in restaurants and bars. In 2003, New York followed suit. New Jersey is the 10th state in the U.S. to enact a such a ban.
Philadelphia City Councilman Michael Nutter, who proposed the smoking bill currently on City Council's calendar, supported the New Jersey legislation.
"I hope that this will provide further impetus to smoke-free legislation in Philadelphia," Nutter said.
When asked whether this would cause more New Jersey residents to eat and drink in Philadelphia, the councilman said, "I don't necessarily know if that's going to happen."
Philadelphia bars and restaurants are generally unconcerned with the New Jersey legislation.
Sean Allen, a manager at Denim Lounge in Center City, said that he did not expect any increase in patronage because of the ban.
"If it will [increase patronage], it won't be that significant," Allen, who just recently learned of the bill, said.
Many restaurants in Philadelphia are already at least partially smoke-free. Friday Saturday Sunday, a Center City bistro, prohibits smoking in the restaurant until 9:30 p.m.
Smoke-free N.J. - A New Jersey law will ban smoking in bars and restaurants, effective in April - A similar measure has been considered by Philadelphia City Council but has not been passed - Local restaurant owners and officials do not expect the Jersey ban to cause a large increase in business for Philadelphia bars and restaurants
