[Hodar]

BS - talk to the wait staff that are now collecting unemployment in Delware because of the ban - or the workers at the race track in Dover and tell them business does not deteriorate after a smoking ban.

And these businesses went out of business because a minoritiy of the US population (smokers) can't smoke there? Not because of the downturn in the economy and the massive Reduction In Force that major employers have done? Interesting....

[Just another Joe]

Not because of the downturn in the economy and the massive Reduction In Force that major employers have done?

Well, let's put it this way.
They were still employed until the ban went into effect.
After the ban, when business went down due to smokers, their friends, and family finding a different venue that still catered to their desires, the waitstaff was let go and businesses that were already on the cusp because of the economy went under.
When you're already teetering on the edge, it doesn't take much of a push to make you go over.

[Gabz]

I'm not saying the economy is not hurting things, but the smoking ban in Delaware has had a large impact on business in the hospitality industry in Delaware.

It is very noticeable when one crosses the state line into Maryland - business in the bars just along the state line have increased substantially in them.

The owner of one establishment that I used to frequent told me her Delaware business has more than doubled.

Dover Downs was seeing double digit increases in revenue prior to the start of the ban. Those increases are now gone, and there is a double digit decline in revenue from this time last year - before the ban was implemented.

And event he Governor admits that they "knew there would be an impact on business." It's hitting the state pretty hard, because they get a percentage of the take from the slot machines at the race tracks - the slots are run by the state lottery - so it's very easy to track the numbers because they are pubic record.

[Great Dane]

And these businesses went out of business because a minoritiy of the US population (smokers) can't smoke there? Not because of the downturn in the economy and the massive Reduction In Force that major employers have done? Interesting....

We do not have a downturn in our economy, we have had a 100% ban for nearly two years, business went down with the intro of the ban, and has stayed down, first excuse...... I don't remember, second...... 911, third SARS, fourth will no doubt be mad cow disease.

[Drew68]

And these businesses went out of business because a minoritiy of the US population (smokers) can't smoke there?

Smokers my constitute a minority of the population as a whole but if you've ever been to a bar, smokers are definately in the majority of peole who patronize these establishments.

People who are overly concerned with their health tend to avoid bars on principle. Drinking in a bar is not a very healthy activity despite the smoke.