Bar owners: Profits went up in smoke after ban (NY)

When Phil Leary opened the doors to his newly renovated Kirkwood pub in June, he never thought he'd lose about 40 percent of his business to the Keystone state.

In 2003, New York will spend about $37 million on antismoking efforts. In 2001, the state spent about $30 million; it spent $40 million last year, according to the state Health Department.

Every dime of that money is wasted. Every single dime.

It ruined buisness here in Sonoma California... No way I would even go to our local pub anymore... It is empty, and the only real patrons are the weekend warriors from San Francisco, with their kids, who stop in for "drinks." Only on special occasions do we stop in for a drink, and brave the cold in winter, smoking outside. There is another law now that says you cannot smoke within 50 feet of the entrance of a public establishment. Too much.
Ownership of the Pub has changed hands 6 or 7 times since the ban. One last rant: it was sickening to me to be in a bar, prior to the ban, enjoying a football game, and have a mother and her toddlers complain to all of us about the smoke and to please extinguish our cigerettes, cigars, as she was sipping on a Martini. Go figure. Children shouldn't be allowed in bars period!

I sold all of my interests in the clubs and restaurants in LA 15 years ago, when I heard the first whispering about curbing smoking. I had been watching the slippery slope with the restrictions on ventilation, seating and restrictions on construction.

I am not a smoker, but I was years ago, and I hate the smell as much as the next fellow, but shouldn't the restrictions be placed by the consumer? If a place has to list that it accepts smokers, shouldn't the guests decide if they want to dine or drink there?

If am employee is not a smoker, should he/or she decide if they wish to work in an establishment where smoking is occurring?

When did our society move from, you shouldn't, to you can't?.. This is a crime.. if you don't like a restaurant where smoking is going to happen.. GO SOMEWHERE ELSE, and let the market survive.. Every place that we had in LA is now closed, and of our best competition has also closed their doors. The only clubs that survived are the ones that relocated to friendlier township, on the borders of LA.. pity all of the lost, money, taxes, jobs and choices..

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