LAWRENCE, Kan. — After the bar doors close for the night on Massachusetts Street, it seems the only butts sitting around are on benches. Contrary to many non-smokers' beliefs, since the Lawrence public smoking ban went into effect in 2004, there is not a noticeable increase in the amount of cigarette litter lining downtown city streets and sidewalks.
An employee of the Replay Lounge who wishes to remain anonymous acknowledged that although there are small amounts of cigarette litter around the front of the building, typically from exiting patrons, there is not a noticeable increase in the amount of this litter since the start of the pubic smoking ban. "We have a large outdoor patio [at the Replay Lounge], and a lot of people come here for that so they can smoke."
Lawrence city code requires all downtown businesses to keep the sidewalks in front of their businesses swept clean of litter. Adam Pousson, patron and former employee of the Red Lyon Tavern added that "the sidewalks get swept regardless." Pousson worked at the Red Lyon both before and after the public smoking ban was enacted. "I don't think businesses have a harder time keeping things clean now. I know people who will go outside to smoke, but it seems like the places I frequent get the sidewalks swept on a regular basis."