ANCHORAGE - The smoking ban in all bars and restaurants in the municipality will remain.
Tuesday night the Anchorage Assembly voted 8 to 3 to deny an exemption that would have allowed the Eagles’ Club in Peters Creek to smoke inside their facility.
Assembly member Bill Starr presented the proposal that would have allowed the private veterans’ club to get an exemption, but residents around the community came out to protest.
Most of them talked about the dangers of secondhand smoke.
For one business owner it was about being fair.
He said allowing private clubs to smoke inside again is a direct target on his business.
“I feel like they should respect the same rules. I've already had customers at my establishment say, ‘well, gee, if that happens I’ll go drink down the road, join the membership,’” said Daniel Gates, owner of the Birchwood Saloon.
The ordinance would have included 19 other clubs and nonprofits that were five years and older.
