Replies

I will stay at home, order in and have friends over.

So the net effect on businesses in your area is zero. You may not frequent the restaurants after the ban takes effect, but your grocer will appreciate the extra business.

So the net effect on businesses in your area is zero. You may not frequent the restaurants after the ban takes effect, but your grocer will appreciate the extra business.

When Maine forced the restaurants to go smoke free in 1999, we didn't go back. We found bars/taverns that sell food and beverages and had smoking sections.

Now, in January, with the total ban coming for the bars/taverns in Maine, my very favorite Tavern in all the world, The Par and Grill will be gone from me as well.

It used to be Pat's Pizza. When they were forced to go smoke free, it was within one year, they were real close to closing their doors.

The owner then bought a very expensive liquor license in order to open it up to smoking again. The business was saved. Pat's Pizza was bought out by new owners, remodeled, big smoke eaters installed, glass enclosed non-smoking section........and they will be forced to go smoke free again. But you can bet your boots that Maine will never reimburse the Par and Grill for the big smoke eaters and all the renovation they did to accompany everyone.

"So the net effect on businesses in your area is zero. You may not frequent the restaurants after the ban takes effect, but your grocer will appreciate the extra business."

Given the margins in the grocery business are very small (2-3%) vs. a much larger margin in the restaurant and bar business (25% food and 100-150% drink), add to that the margin of a standard 15-20% for labor alone, your statement above could not be further from the truth. The net effect on overall business in that area has to have been affected by large percentages. The funny thing is that everyone's taxes have to go up to make up for the revenue shortfall generated by the smaller exchanges of money.

And the circle continues!