Bars and music venues can choose to allow smoking or vaping indoors. But a state law signed Wednesday puts that decision in the hands of county governments.
Smoking indoors is mostly a thing of the past, but a few private businesses still allow it. Jamie Kent, a musician with asthma, says performing at venues that allow smoking is a health risk.
“I’ve lost my voice midway through a set because of it, had to cancel the next day show because of it,” said Kent, who was most vocal for the change.
He’s is the co-founder of Musicians for a Smokefree Tennessee. He worked with lawmakers last session to draw up a bill that solves the problem.
“It gets into all your merchandise and then you go to the next show, and you have to somehow on the road wash all the t-shirts you’re trying too,” Kent said. “It ripples through so many parts of being a working-class artist.”
The new law allows cities to ban smoking at bars and music venues. It’s unclear if Nashville would move forward with a ban. Mayor John Cooper’s office has said they are working with bars and musicians to figure out how to implement the new law.
In East Nashville, Cobra is one of the few venues that still offers smoking indoors. Contacted by WPLN, a manager said they aren’t against a city ordinance but would likely build up their patio space to allow for smoke-friendly areas.
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