None of it can hurt - as long as we stay on the message that our out of state dollars will stay out of NY and continue to hurt these businesses. Thus, NYS coffers.
The businesses want us and our money - apparently the state does not, except in cigarette taxes.
It is the legislators themselves who are destroying these businesses, not the smokers, especially those smokers that are seeking other places to spend our tourist dollars.
As you know I live 8 miles from the MD state line and only 50 miles from DE. We were over on Chincoteague yesterday and the discussion turned to the Delaware smoking ban when someone asked why there was a Ban Ruth Ann bumpersticker on a Virginia car. This was a group that normally went to one of the Delaware beaches to get away from the chaos of Dover during Race week - They were on Chincoteague because of the DE smoking ban.
Another woman that chimed into the conversation said she totally LOVES the DE smoking ban - she owns a bar in Maryland. She has seen a HUGE increase in her business.
Tourism dollars not going to these places with the bans - and their tourism offices being informed of the reason - is going to be the reason they get at first modified, and then repealed. but we have to let them know and keep reminding them why we are not going to these places.
It is not a health issue, it is not a smokers' rights issue - it is completely and totally a business issue and permitting these businesses to choose their own individual clientele.
I'm calling it a night, I need some sleep - it's been a long day of town festivals and gardening........the 40 foot rows of corn (5 of them) were the easiest garden work I did today. I've got more than 200 plants in the garden and haven't started on putting in seeds yet..........nor have any of my tobacco plants gone in yet. (yes, I have a VERY large garden)