If you’re a smoker and plan on visiting Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge or any other part of TN, then you need to be aware of a statewide smoking ban starting July 1, 2007 the affects all enclosed public areas, which means restaurants no longer allow people to smoke inside. The exceptions are:
- Private Clubs
- Bars that only allow 21 and over at all times
- Accomodations (there will still be smoking rooms that you can stay in)
- Tobacco stores
- Businesses with less than 3 employees
Another exception is possibly any open-aired patios at restaurants. If you’re a smoker, you may want to find restaurants with outdoor seating. If it’s winter time…well, I guess you have to figure out how badly you need a puff!
I will be in Gatlinburg Dec 2-6-07 .We come down to the mts. 3 or 4 times a year..will still come but don’t like the “no” smoking ban…
As long as I can still smoke in the Edgewater Motel I will still be happy.. Would like some “free” show tickets if possible…Thanks…Louetta
I read the same sentence constantly on Gatlinburg websites. “Breathe free in a non-smoking room.” That’s a joke. Ionizers get rid of odors nearly immediately and that includes tobacco smoke. Yes. A residue is left. Daily cleaning should be done anyway with a damp santitized cloth. Paint is cheap. Rates are high. Hotels can afford to paint a couple times a year. This is the rub. I know you spend a fortune on daily cleaning. There are not enough dollars in one day to clean up pet hair, fleas, or ticks! I would much rather follow a smoker than a pet owner. THAT smell is nasty!!! I can tell it everytime even if a guest sneaks the critter into the room. I am highly allergic and cannot and will not stay in a hotel allowing pets. I do not honor the no smoking law for that very reason and have never been charged a penalty fee. It is my money. I am a renter. I made that place my home for a couple days and I will do as I please in my own home. Period. When I leave that temporary home, no one can smell cigarette smoke. The dog and cat poop smell lingers. It is a dead and old smell. It is not cigarettes. It is pet poop. The hairs, fleas, and ticks will never go away without special treatment. That will cost you more than a couple gallons of paint. You know I tell you the truth of it.
Citizens cannot smoke very many places in town. Stores SELL tobacco! If you are going to ban the devil, then cast him away completely. Think about that.
Tobacco users are banned. Pet owners cause more damage. Ban them!
Tennessee is a tobacco state AND a whiskey state. Ban drinkers who probably cause the most damage of all!!! and quit selling booze. Think about your clean up with that scenario now that the city sells moonshine. Puked alcohol is rank and only thorough carpet cleaning can get it out. I can smell it! No hotel in any city runs a carpet scrubber after every guest.
I love Gatlinburg. Been there 39 times in 25 years. We are feeling hardpressed to go as we cannot find a non-smoking room. We wanted to take 6 adult kids and 2 grandkids the end of July spending a great deal of money renting two suites or a cottage/condo. No one can accommodate us. We will spend our money elsewhere.
Smoking is unpleasant. Pets are unpleasant. Smelling drunkedness in a room is unpleasant. Penalties and restrictions exist for only ONE segment of visitors and not other offenders. There is nothing right about that. Open more smoking rooms in town. Hotels have several, but they are readily booked. That tells me there is a need and smokers want to visit you but can’t! If one hotel can do it, ALL of them can! Cast one stone or cast none. Make the law the law or do away with it. Be sure you add pet owners and drunks who are not subjected to special cleaning fees. That is absurd no matter who looks at it. Wrong is just plain wrong.