When the environment you do business in changes, you adapt or die.
This guys a rather poor entrepreneur. He whines his old customers have left, but has done nothing to change his marketing to attract new ones.
I read a story about how he is dedicating his efforts to keep things the way they were, when in fact he should be marketing and working to improve his business in the environment than now exist.
I guarantee some of his competitors are, and they as first movers in this new world are bustling, while he's sitting here doing nothing and losing precious time daily.
For every story of this guy, there is a story of another guy who's been able to adapt and is doing well, or better.
Adapt, or die.
"Adapt, or die."
First rule of business.
This is true, but its one thing when markets change naturally over time, and quite another when government just shuts you down.
Listen, he is not the only business going under due to a smoking ban. You must not be following the news across the United States since the anti's are trying to take over every state in the Union!
THE REAL FACTS OF THE SMOKING BANS IMPACT ON BUSINESS'S
The Facts
"Adapt, or die."
So, when the market fails to adapt to appease the minority that wouldn't frequent the neighborhood bar anyway, the answer is for the government to step in and eliminate the satisfied majority of the owners market. Then when that owner complains, you tell him to adapt or die? What other market would you like to see eliminated by the government? SUV's, personal-non work related pick up trucks, etc.
It is also clear from your post that you have no knowledge of neighborhood bars/taverns. There isn't much adaptation avialable when 80% of your clients are daily regulars that smoke and the government ensures you can not cater to that neighborhood clientele.
That's about the stupidest thing I've seen in a while. Per your premise in that asinine missive, it's the governments responsibility to facilitate an ever changing and challenging business environment??? For what comrade, so the capital doesn't accumulate in any ones hands for to long???
The dude's making money securely, the government comes along and poles him in the rear, and you're comment is "Gee, better get with the innovation ball"... Sheesh... It's to much...