He would not name the groups. Other pool hall operators say they are hurting, too. The owner of Son of River City Billiards said recently he may have to close. Not all businesses must ban smoking. After bingo operators protested, the Assembly exempted bingo halls, as long as they have an enclosed no-smoking area.
Bars are exempt, under certain conditions.
The city has started a list of bars, and restaurants with bars, that legally allow smoking. Only one pool hall is on the list, Anchorage Billiard Palace, which has a bar. Folks who smoke are sociable, Foss said. They tend to stay long and spend big, drinking sodas, eating chips and salsa, maybe ordering a shrimp basket. The surface of the pool tables is Italian slate that's refurbished each year.