This solves the problem of the business owner who wants to disallow smoking but fears losing business because no other restaurant will (opt-in rather opt-out). Of course, this is also coming from a non-restaurant owner and a non-smoker.
That sounds fair. IF the government has to be involved at all.
THE REAL FACTS OF THE SMOKING BANS IMPACT ON BUSINESS'S
The Facts
These socialists are not interested in facts, as we well know.
All they're interested in is control, and more taxes.
I've said it a million times, but I cannot stand these people anymore.
Common sense need not apply.
Agreed. I think we've all gotten past the Government being only for roads, public education, and a military. Governments are going to be making more and more of these laws in the future. The best way they could do it is to offer waivers.
As for the list, I saw several in my hometown. One marked "closed" was shut down because of an underage drinking sting! Another line from a hometown business:
"After proving they had lost significant business, Mel's place was granted of the NY's few wavers. Their business immediately returned to the pre ban level, but the owners are worried about what will happen when the waver runs out in a year."
Of course, there's a little anti-ban spin on it, since there's little doubt it'll be renewed. My friend owns a bar with a waiver and his business is much higher than pre-ban levels.
Wow, some of the comments on that link are pretty sad. One owner is shutting down for the winter, because his employees can make more on unemployment. Then there are the Elks, who count on the money to run the Christmas programs for needy families. Volunteer fire depts who used the money to keep up their equipment.
There was a piece here that I didn't get a chance to read, about some government agency, and mandatory aerobics :-/ When will the nanny state stop?