[Gabz]

I realize the sales tax has not increased.....but other taxes that effect the cost of business have increased, such as the property taxes. Some of those have been passed along to the customers by way of higher food/drink prices, which means increased sales tax revenue.

[wtc911]

This is not scientific, just personal observation....both my social and professional lives involve a fair amount of spending in eating/drinking establishments in NYC, mostly Manhattan and Queens. I hit every nabe in both boros regularly. (one caveat...I avoid any trendy or tourist spot like the plague)

Prices have not gone up noticeably if at all. The simple observed fact is this: more people are out more often spending more money. This increase is likely attributable to a number of factors.

And, again anecdotal evidence wise, I hear more people laud the ban than bemoan it. For better or worse our society is more aware of the inescapable long term tragedy that befalls smokers and is reacting to eliminate it.

Most people my age (first tier boomer) have watched a relative waste away from LC or strangle slowly from emphysema. We don't want that suffering in our lives. In part these laws are a reaction to the ugliness of the kind of death brought on by decades of smoking.

I do agree that this kind of law is intrusive and I would not vote for it if in a position to do so. I do enjoy the results.