[Gabz]

You don't like smoking, so be it, but it obviously clouded your opinion of the story you posted.

The data used in the press release from NYC is skewed because it mixes different types of businesses. You would see this if you weren't so blinded by your hatred of smoke and smokers, as would the rest of the anti-smokers here and elsewhere.

[murdocj]

You're right. I don't like smoking. Would I be off-base to suggest that maybe your opinion of the story might be clouded a little, as well?

A 9% increase is not what I heard people predicting last year.

Yes, this story is spun a bit. Just like every story is spun (at least) a bit. Why are so many folks opposed to acknowledging that maybe the smoking ban isn't the end of the bar business in the free world?

You are wrong about my "hatred of smoke and smokers", though.

Besides, some of my best friends are smokers.