[Gabz]

What invariably happens though, when forced to prevent smoking in their establishments, is their business suffers through no fault of their own, simply because between 25 and 40%, of their customers, depending on locality, cease patronizing said business,

But didn't you know - smoking bans NEVER hurt business - the antis tell us that all the time!

Seriously, that is what they say when they are promoting them in individual towns and cities. As soon as they get them enacted in some areas and businesses start feeling the bite, the antis can then get those same businesses to side with bans throughout an entire region or state - in order to level the "playing field."

If a ban does not hurt business, why didn't all resturants, etc. just do it voluntarily years ago. Because the truth of the matter is - bans do hurt business.

[HELLRAISER II]

I agree especially if their serving Alcohol, ask any smoker if they can drink a 6 pack of beer without lighting up. The answer I gurantee will be no.