Do not expect to see spittoons in bars just yet.

Despite the recent smoking ban, the majority of DeKalb smokers have not been persuaded to switch to chewing tobacco in order to get their nicotine fix.

“Since the smoking ban, I haven’t seen an increase nor a decrease in chewing tobacco,” said Emily Ericson, a server at O’Leary’s Irish Pub & Grill, 260 E. Lincoln Highway. “The regulars that we have that do chew are just about the only ones I’ve seen.”

Vanity reasons could possibly be one of the major factors that chewers are not out in force.

“People look more down on chew,” said Kevin Sundstrom, a junior corporate communications major who has remained consistent in smoking and chewing since the ban. “It is unattractive because you are constantly spitting,” he said, adding that he never sees women chewing.

Some smokers are still deciding whether switching over to chewing tobacco is worth it, partially due to the fact that they can do it indoors.

“I think about trying it constantly while I’m at the bars and stuff now,” said senior sociology major Pat Carone. “Actually, I see a lot more people than before chewing in bars.”

The reason Carone has not made the switch, he said, is because “it’s gross.”

Customers are not the only ones considering chewing as a means of greater

convenience.

“I’ve noticed a lot more staff chewing,” said Jeff Dobie, owner of Fatty’s Pub & Grille, 1312 W. Lincoln Highway. “It is partially because it is harder for them to go outside to smoke a cigarette while working.”

There are noticeable differences between chewing and smoking tobacco, which can either attract or deter users from trying the different form of nicotine.

“I tried chewing once and I’ve been doing it ever since because I enjoy the stimulation,” said freshman business major Zach Dubois.

“You get more of a fix off chew,” Sundstrom said.

His brother, freshman undeclared major Paul Sundstrom, disagrees.

“You get a weird buzz from it, and I don’t like it,” he said.

Although the “chewing” population has not taken DeKalb by storm since the smoking ban, there are still signs that show a slight increase.

“In the recent weeks we’ve given out a lot more plastic cups that people use to spit in while they chew,” Dobie said.

Marty Wilson, cashier at Molly’s Eatery & Drinkery, 1022 W. Lincoln Highway, has also seen signs of rising chewing tobacco usage.

“Instead of ordering chewing tobacco every month and a half we order every two to three weeks,” Wilson said. “Maybe the reason for sales going up is because of the colder winter months.”