I have family that was stationed at Beale Air Force Base, California. They recently transferred to another base. However, they both smoke, and went off base to restaurants/bars where they were allowed to smoke. And business was booming.
You say not many smoke in California anymore? They didn't find that to be the case. A LOT of people still smoke out in California.
I seriously doubt that. The only way they can determine the number of smokers is by an estimate using the tax revenues from tobacco. Many, many Californias are not buying instate rather than pay the extortionate taxes. Additionally California smokers are not going out as much as in the past, so the impression is that less are smoking.
In the first month of the 1.50 increase in the NYC tax increase, pack sales dropped by 57% - no way did 57% of smokers quit - they are just purchasing elsewhere.