A recent overturn of a smoking ban in Hancock County has impacted businesses in Brooke County in a negative way and a crowd of business owners came to the Brooke County Health Department meeting yesterday, concerned for the longevity of their businesses.

Brooke County’s original smoking ban was established in 1995, but a change to it in 2015 prohibited smoking in all establishments.

The ban caused LVLs, or limited video lottery establishments, to take a hit in revenue.

Now that Hancock County has reversed its smoking ban, many owners said they are losing customers.

The board has scheduled a meeting to discuss this and possibly take action. The meeting will be Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m.