[untrained skeptic]

I don't smoke, but I'll be voting against this smoking ban.

I believe it's an unnecessary government intrusion and the second had smoke propaganda has gone well beyond misleading to outright lies being pushed with public money.

However, I'm not sure I understand how businesses lose business from smoking bans. Do the people just stay home? Or does the "business" move to private clubs?

[SheLion]

I don't smoke, but I'll be voting against this smoking ban.

I believe it's an unnecessary government intrusion and the second had smoke propaganda has gone well beyond misleading to outright lies being pushed with public money.

However, I'm not sure I understand how businesses lose business from smoking bans. Do the people just stay home? Or does the "business" move to private clubs?

Thank you so much for your voting stance.  The business owners around you will be truly grateful.

Well, yes.  If a restaurant or bar can no longer accommodate smokers, the smokers will not go.  I know a lot of us in Free Republic refuse to spend our money on a night out if the business isn't allowed to accommodate us.

Maine went totally smoke free in 2003.  I haven't been out for a meal since.  I tipped good too.  I do take-out or order in or visit friends and we bbq.

Also, if smokers in a smoke free state live close to a border of a smoker friendly state, the smoker will take his money "over there."

When voters jump on the bandwagon thinking their "ban smoking vote" will just impact people who smoke, they are dead wrong.  The forced smoking bans are devastating private businesses.  Businesses are closing across the US, and the lay-offs and loss of revenue.  Some people still don't get it.

Also, it's the trickle down affect.  If a business loses revenue, then the vendors that supply the business will be cut back as well.

This needs to be left up to the business owner and his patrons.  NOT nanny government.

I don't smoke, but I'll be voting against this smoking ban.

I believe it's an unnecessary government intrusion and the second had smoke propaganda has gone well beyond misleading to outright lies being pushed with public money.

However, I'm not sure I understand how businesses lose business from smoking bans. Do the people just stay home? Or does the "business" move to private clubs?

Thank you so much for your voting stance.  The business owners around you will be truly grateful.

Well, yes.  If a restaurant or bar can no longer accommodate smokers, the smokers will not go.  I know a lot of us in Free Republic refuse to spend our money on a night out if the business isn't allowed to accommodate us.

Maine went totally smoke free in 2003.  I haven't been out for a meal since.  I tipped good too.  I do take-out or order in or visit friends and we bbq.

Also, if smokers in a smoke free state live close to a border of a smoker friendly state, the smoker will take his money "over there."

When voters jump on the bandwagon thinking their "ban smoking vote" will just impact people who smoke, they are dead wrong.  The forced smoking bans are devastating private businesses.  Businesses are closing across the US, and the lay-offs and loss of revenue.  Some people still don't get it.

Also, it's the trickle down affect.  If a business loses revenue, then the vendors that supply the business will be cut back as well.

This needs to be left up to the business owner and his patrons.  NOT nanny government.