The Rice Thresher

Location: http://the.ricethresher.org/news/2005/08/19/pub_bans_smoking

August 19, 2005 > News > Willy’s Pub bans smoking

Willy’s Pub bans smoking

By Risa Gordon | Thresher Editorial Staff

Willy’s Pub will institute a no-smoking policy this fall and will also sponsor more nightly events and try to improve food quality and variety.

Pub student managers and advisers decided to make the smoking change primarily to protect the bartenders’ health, although customer health and a desire to make the Pub more welcoming to non-smokers and students who cannot drink legally were also important factors , Pub General Manager David Meeker said.

Effective in September, a Houston City Council regulation will prohibit smoking in restaurants. Valhalla, the graduate student pub, has also adopted a no-smoking policy.

Meeker said he expects some students to react negatively.

“We just made a change for our employees’ health, and we hope people understand,” he said.

Pub managers have planned some fall events, and they hope to hold one every night starting the second week of classes, Student Center Director Boyd Beckwith said. Since less than half of the undergraduate population can drink legally, the Pub managers had to think of other ways to generate revenue, Beckwith said. Currently, most revenue comes from food sales.

Meeker said the increased activity will bring more people into the Pub on a regular basis, including people who used to come to the Pub to smoke.

“We’re hoping to have enough events and more stuff going on at the Pub on a regular basis [to make it] just a good place to be even if you’re not smoking,” he said.

Meeker said the Pub also plans to bring in new food, such as hot dogs and jalapeno poppers, in September. Cooking and preparation methods have also been improved to increase food quality for the subs and pizzas already offered, Meeker said.

End of article

Back to top