Tobacco.org

City adapting to smoking ban 

The clean-air ordinance that went into effect in Newton in January doesn’t seem to be affecting businesses negatively — or positively — as some had predicted.

While the afternoon coffee drinkers might not come in on a regular basis anymore and some smoking travelers may keep moving, they have been replaced with people who appreciate the smokeless environment.

“It’s nice going into a place and not having to put up with the smoke,” said Norman Vogts of Hutchinson, whose wife recently passed away from emphysema. “I used to be a trucker, and they don’t need to smoke in (the restaurants).”

Vern and Lu Nutters of McPherson agree.

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