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The Facts About The Smoking Ban. If you're a business owner or not, this is a must read!
The Facts Online ^ | 11-01-03 | Dave Hitt

Posted on 11/06/2003 7:28:30 AM PST by SheLion

Every company's greatest assets are its customers, because without customers there is no company.
- Michael LeBoeuf

Businesses Harmed by Smoking Bans

Anti-smoking organizations insist that bans are somehow good for people in hospitality businesses. This chart shows otherwise. These businesses have lost a significant portion of their business as a direct result of smoking bans. Many are closed. Many that are still open have told us they doubt they'll survive much longer.

Most of this information comes directly from businesses that have contacted me or my colleagues. Some comes from newspaper articles. Blank spaces in the chart represent data that is unavailable, or that doesn't apply. (For instance, a distributor doesn't receive tips, and many owner-operators of small taverns don't have any employees other than themselves and family members.)


Business Type Of
Business
Closed? Business
Lost
Tips
Lost
Jobs
Lost
City State

 
Crocodile Cafe Restaurant Closed 100% 100% Tempe AZ
Pooch's Easy Street Billiards Pool Hall Closed 100% 100% Tempe AZ
Laurel Bowl Bowling Alley Closed 100% 100% San Luis Obispo CA
385 league bowlers quit when the smoking ban went into effect, with a loss of $200,000. Laurel Bowl had been in business for 37 years before the ban.
Alexander Mackenzie Inn Hotel Not Yet 92% 16 Fort St. John CAN
"Since we were `beaten' into compliance by the WCB, our business has dropped in the lounge from $1,000 a day to $80. "
Beacon Hill Arms Tavern Closed 100% 100% Ottawa CAN
Dave O'Connor, who successfully ran Ottawa's Beacon Hill Arms pub for nine years, said the ban forced him out of business. "From September to February, we lost close to $80,000 in sales"
Bud's Place Tavern Not Yet 23% Cambrage CAN
Gardeli's Bar/Restaurant Closed 100% 100% Castlegar CAN
Hemingway's Bar/Restaraunt Not Yet 40% 6 Ottawa CAN
MacKenzie Lounge Tavern Not Yet 80% Yellowknife CAN
Mingles Coffee Shoppe Coffee Shop Closed 100% 100% Kitchener CAN
Rupert Pub Tavern Closed 100% 100% Prince Rupert CAN
Sky Garden Restaurant Closed 100% 100% 6 Ottawa CAN
"It was 100% because of the bylaw. Sales dropped 50%. Our cups of coffee were down 400 to 500 a day, our meals 20 to 30 a day."
The Patch Tavern Not Yet 70% St. Albert CAN
Tubbys Pizza Pizza Parlor Not Yet 20% 2 Crescentwood CAN
Back Stage Cafe Bar/Restaurant Closed 100% 100% 20 Wilmington DE
Coach House Bar/Restaurant Closed 100% 100% 8 Wilmington DE
Just Mugs Saloon Tavern Not Yet 33% Bear DE
Naamans Cafe Restaurant Closed 100% 100% 8 Wilmington DE
Elks #1795 Lodge (Private Club) Not Yet 40% 22% Fort Walton FL
"Charity money is down 45%. Our Charities are Kids of Florida and the Veterans. That is who is really getting hurt the most by this!"
Elks #2256 Lodge (Private Club) Not Yet 20% 30% Pensacola Beach FL
"We've lost 70 members because of the ban"
Elks #2273 Lodge (Private Club) Not Yet 60% 60% 1 Plantation FL
Melons Bar & Grill Bar/Restruant Not Yet 50% Port Charlotte FL
The Falls Restaurant Closed 100% 100% Naples FL
"We lost 70 percent of our income," Renzello said. "The law put us out of business." 90 percent of her customers were smokers.
Bart's Bar/Restaurant Closed 100% 100% Louisville CO
Bart's had been in operation for nearly 30 years.
Gold Mine Restaraunt Bar/Restaraunt Not Yet 50% 50% 2 Fall River MA
"There should be places for both the smoker and nonsmoker. I do not smoke but you are killing our business!!! "
Buffalo Wings and Beer Bar/Restruant Not Yet 50% Gaithersburg MD
Gentleman Jim's Restaurant Not Yet 40% Gaithersburg MD
J.J. Muldoon's Bar/Restaurant Not Yet 20% Gaithersburg MD
Middlebrook Restaurant and Lounge Bar/Restaurant Not Yet 50% Germantown MD
"I'm so bitter today because I have worked too hard to keep this business going. It's just not fair."
Pelican Pete's Restaurant Not Yet 60% Germantown MD
Tommy Joe's Restaurant Restruant Not Yet 30% Bethesda MD
Nutshell Tavern Tavern Closed 100% 100% Biddeford ME
Village Variety Closed 100% Fryeburg ME
Grandma's Restaraunt Not Yet 33% Cloquet MN
Perkins Restaraunt Not Yet 26% Duluth MN
Aessa Bar/Restaurant Not Yet 35% 6 New York NY
Argyle's EasyStreet Tavern Tavern Not Yet 12% Cortland NY
Athens Cafe Restaurant Not Yet 55% 10 Astoria NY
Blessed Sacrament Church Bingo Not Yet 50% Albany NY
Brazen Head Pub Tavern Not Yet 40% Monroe NY
Brown Shanty Tavern Not Yet 20% 1 Watertown NY
Champions Billiards Cafe Brew Pub/Pool Hall Not Yet 33% Parkville NY
Chili American Legion Post 1830 Private Club Not Yet 70% Scottsville NY
Coleman's Irish Pub Bar/Restaurant Not Yet 19% 4 Syracuse NY
Crossroads Steak House Restaurant Closed 100% 100% Kennedy NY
Delmar Sportsman's Tavern Tavern Not Yet 30% 1 Massena NY
"We had hoped...nonsmokers who haven't been frequenting taverns due to the smoke-filled air would make up for at least some of the financial loss. Unfortunately, at least in our place, this has most definitely not happened. Our sales are at an all time low"
Desperado's Tavern Not Yet 90% Wallkill NY
"I can count on my fingers the people who don't smoke who come in here. The regulars say they won't come."
Dodesters Tavern Not Yet 9% Syracuse NY
Eagle Beverage Company Distributor Not Yet 25% N/A Oswego NY
"Deliveries to pubs and taverns have decreased substantially, greater than 25 percent."
Edigan's Restaurant Closed 100% 100% Binghamton NY
End Zone Bar/Restaurant Not Yet 30% 1 Liverpool NY
Euzkadi Restaurant Not Yet 50% New York NY
Fiddler's Green Tavern Closed 100% 100% New York NY
We have just lost too many customers to this law, which I did not vote for, bar owners did not vote for, bartenders did not vote for, and the public did not vote for."
Finish Line Bar/Restaurant Not Yet 40% 2 Bellerose NY
Fountain Bowl Bowling Alley Not Yet 40% N/A 8 Jamestown NY
Golden Rail Ale House Tavern Not Yet 75% Newburgh NY
Harry's Hanover Square Bar/Restaraunt Closed 100% 100 New York NY
"Overnight, we lost 60 percent of our evening bar trade. For the bar, it was the difference in profit and loss. Sales of expensive cigars had been almost as important as the sales of Scotch" Harry's had been in business for more than thirty years
Holmes & Watson's Tavern Not Yet 30% Troy NY
Hotel McDonald Hotel Not Yet 70% Bath NY
Just One More Tavern Not Yet 30% Bath NY
Liberty Lanes Bowling Not Yet 27% Camden NY
Mama Lena's Restaurant Closed 100% 100% Binghamton NY
Mama Lena's had been in business for more than 40 years.
Mel's Place Tavern Not Yet 78% 100% Falconer NY
"When we bought this place, we throught we were buying our American Dream. We ran it successfully for 10 years. Now the government is stripping us from making a living. "
Middleport Inn Bar/Restaurant Closed 100% 100% 13 Middleport NY
"This damn state really knows how to kill people's dreams."
Millennium Restaurant Not Yet 40% 3 New York NY
Nibsy's Pub Bar/Restaurant Not Yet 18% Syracuse NY
Rafferty's Bar/Restaurant Not Yet 35% 2 Syracuse NY
Richard's Ole Timer Bar/Restaurant Not Yet 17% 1 Clay NY
Roesch's Tavern Tavern Closed 100% 100% 5 New York NY
This had been a family business for more than a century
Salingers Tavern Not Yet 35% 2 Rochester NY
Sevens Bar Tavern Not Yet 10% Malone NY
Shamrock Tavern Tavern Not Yet 50% Oswego NY
"It's not right. Our livelihood is being taken away."
Slade Restaurant Not Yet 40% New York NY
Slick Willie's Billiard Hall Not Yet 25% Tonawanda NY
Stumble Inn Tavern Closed 100% 100% Champlain NY
Taylor's Trackside Bar/Restaurant Not Yet 50% Remsen NY
Temple Israel Bingo Not Yet 50% Albany NY
According to Herb Holland, some of the regulars told volunteers that they would abstain from playing bingo, to protest the smoking ban. He hasn't seen them since.
The Lilly Pad Tavern Closed 100% 100% Falconer NY
The Lodge at the Lake Inc Bar/Restaurant Not Yet 50% 1 Broadalbin NY
The Loft Tavern Not Yet 30% Frewsburg NY
"Our town has no attractions to draw in outsiders. We have only locals to rely on as patrons and 95% of them smoke. It will be worse when the snow sets in."
The Roadhouse Tavern Not Yet 40% Brewster NY
Thompson Road Tavern Bar/Restaurant Not Yet 25% Syracuse NY
Village Tavern Bar/Restaurant Not Yet 10% Marcellus NY
Bliss' Steak Ranch Restaurant Closed 100% 100% Eugene OR
Closed after 32 years in business
Doc's Pad Tavern Closed 100% 100% 24 Eugene OR
"Let's face it, the economy is horrible. But for us specifically, the smoking ban was the knockout punch." The Olsen family had owned Doc's for 16 years.
Max's Tavern Tavern Closed 100% 100% Eugene OR
The Peacock Tavern Not Yet 40% Corvallis OR
Connor owned the Peacock for years - and says it was the ban that caused him to sell the bar. He says business gross fell from $1.5 million in 1997, the year before the ban went into effect, to $900,000 last year.
China One Restaurant Closed 100% 100 Round Rock TX


CAN=Canada

If your business has been harmed by a smoking ban, or if you know of one that has been, please let us know. If possible, have the owner contact us. Newspaper articles are also welcome. Please include the URL. .

Click here to contact us.

Last Update: Saturday, November 01, 2003

© 2000 - 2003 Dave Hitt

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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government
KEYWORDS: antismokers; bans; butts; cigarettes; individualliberty; michaeldobbs; niconazis; prohibitionists; pufflist; smokingbans; taxes; tobacco
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To: hotshot
You want to beleive you are allegic to smoke!!

Your doctor probably prescribed some medication for you. Correct??? Big drug companies behind it all, don't you get it!!!!!!!!!!!
161 posted on 11/06/2003 3:06:01 PM PST by cherinfl
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To: Just another Joe
How funny?????????? If I had proof that restaurants were doing a booming business or close to shutting down I certainly would not be afraid to provide the information!!
I don't lie or use false data!!!!!!!!!!
I don't have to, they do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
162 posted on 11/06/2003 3:09:33 PM PST by cherinfl
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To: hotshot
How much would you to wager and how would you like the bet held?

An allegery is a reaction to a protein, There are no proteins in SHS thus no allergies

Anyone who has asthma is allegic to smoke as its chemicals cause constriction of the airways.

I don't doubt that people with servere asthma can be affected by SHS. However the vast majority of people who claim this are B.S.ing because these very same people never seem to have a problem when they are in places where they are exposed to the same chemicals that are in SHS in greater quantities like in a parking garage, Toll booth, campfire, bar-B-que, etc.

Second hand smoke causes asthma.

No it doesn't there are less smokers today than ever yet the number of asthma cases has skyrocketed, Meanwhile 50 years ago the numbers of smokers and places you could smoke was much higher yet asthma was almost unheard of.

And I do not have ashma but I am allergic(reactionary) to the smoke.

You don't have a reaction to Second Hand smoke what you have is a reaction to Third Hand Smoke

163 posted on 11/06/2003 3:18:36 PM PST by qam1 (Don't Patikify New Jersey)
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To: cherinfl
Have you ever had a child with asthma? Then you don't understand. My son has asthma which could cost him his life. It's onset is directly attributed to exposure to second hand smoke. Hold a child in your arms than is blueish and can't breath, coughing until her throws up gasping. Spend $1000's on inhalers etc. Then tell me the "joy" you get smoking around him. Puff and exhale in my son's face.
Tell me how your aunt attie is 105 and smokes 10 packs a day. Unless you smoke outside away from everyone, you are causing future misery without any consideration of anyone else.

164 posted on 11/06/2003 3:18:49 PM PST by hotshot
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To: Liberal Classic
A woman after my own heart.

Why! Thank you!!!


165 posted on 11/06/2003 3:30:33 PM PST by SheLion (Curiosity killed the cat BUT satisfaction brought her back!!!)
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To: Great Dane
No need to save your seat, no one would dare take it. :-}

Your a peach, and yep..........there's my SEAT!!!! :)

166 posted on 11/06/2003 3:35:22 PM PST by SheLion (Curiosity killed the cat BUT satisfaction brought her back!!!)
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To: Phantom Lord
Post #22

Sure! You bet:

Smoking Bans Bad For Business

There you go!

167 posted on 11/06/2003 3:37:18 PM PST by SheLion (Curiosity killed the cat BUT satisfaction brought her back!!!)
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To: Phantom Lord
I can add a couple of closings myself, and too many empty places to name (all on Long Island).

One closing was (surprisingly) a chain restaurant that had a very popular Happy Hour crowd. After the ban, I guess the Happy Hour crowd stayed home, because just last week I drove by the place and it was boarded up with a hand-written cardboard sign on its door that said, "THANKS PATAKI."

Another place that hit the skids was a bowling alley. This place had been in business for many, many years, but after the ban the old guy leagues stopped going and I guess the young single crowd, too, because now...it's gone. They took a wrecking ball to it last month and now it's going to be a bank.

As for the empty places, well...I can't see how they can stay in business much longer with things the way they are. They are sparsely populated most of the time, and on top of that, they're giving away their shirts in order to attract the customers that used to just waltz right in. I saw one place with a sign that said "BOTTOMLESS MUGS -- ALL YOU CAN DRINK BEERS -- $10.95." And folks...this was on a FRIDAY night.

Thanks, Pataki indeed!

Regards,
168 posted on 11/06/2003 3:39:47 PM PST by VermiciousKnid
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To: hotshot; CSM
Could it be coincidental that maybe smoker can't afford $4.00 a pack cigs and $4.00 beers and that is why a bar goes under

Listen BUCK shot! We can well afford the beer and the Black Jack AND our cigarettes, thank you. And many of us in here have learned how to make and/or buy cheaper cigarettes as well!

As for ME........I have been rolling my own for three years. A carton for under $8.00! And I am NOT paying into the gluttons down at the state house any longer. Sure, there is a surcharge, but it would take YEARS for the lawmakers to get that surcharge up to $45-$50 dollars for a bag of tobacco!!!!


169 posted on 11/06/2003 3:43:21 PM PST by SheLion (Curiosity killed the cat BUT satisfaction brought her back!!!)
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To: cherinfl
If restaurant owners don't care enough about there property rights then why should I support them??

Same here with me in Maine, cherinfl. All the restaurants were forced to go smoke free in 1999. Now, come January, the ANTI's with their illustrious "level playing field" will force another ban to our remaining bars/taverns.

I never set foot inside a restaurant since 1999.  I stuck to the taverns that have full service menus. Now they are taking THEM away.  BUT! Since they (the bars/tavern owners) did not fight for MY business, I sure as hell won't support THEIRS come January. Fork em all!

170 posted on 11/06/2003 3:48:04 PM PST by SheLion (Curiosity killed the cat BUT satisfaction brought her back!!!)
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To: xrp; CSM
No, he just likes governmental interference in business, freedom and liberty. Sorta makes you wonder what he is doing on FR instead of Democratic Underground.

I have ask that question over and over! And I do believe you hit the nail on the head!

There is this green glowing fog in here when he comes in...............hmmmmmmmm you can almost smell it.

171 posted on 11/06/2003 3:50:29 PM PST by SheLion (Curiosity killed the cat BUT satisfaction brought her back!!!)
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To: hotshot
And I do not have ashma (sic) but I am allergic(reactionary) to the smoke.

I love to walk around the grocery store with an unlighted cigarette and watch you "reactionary" people start slinging snot like a rodeo bull.

The first part of psychosomatic describes your type perfectly.

As to a bet; I only bet with people that I believe to be honest and I believe that you have been adequately been answered anyway.

172 posted on 11/06/2003 3:51:52 PM PST by Eaker (When the SHTF, I'll go down with a cross in one hand, and a Glock in the other.)
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To: Eaker
Ahhhh.....a liberal exosed lurking on this forum
173 posted on 11/06/2003 3:58:26 PM PST by hotshot
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To: Eaker
Ahhhh.....a liberal exposed lurking on this forum
174 posted on 11/06/2003 3:58:51 PM PST by hotshot
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To: hotshot
Have you ever had a child with asthma? Then you don't understand. My son has asthma which could cost him his life. It's onset is directly attributed to exposure to second hand smoke. Hold a child in your arms than is blueish and can't breath, coughing until her throws up gasping. Spend $1000's on inhalers etc. Then tell me the "joy" you get smoking around him. Puff and exhale in my son's face. Tell me how your aunt attie is 105 and smokes 10 packs a day. Unless you smoke outside away from everyone, you are causing future misery without any consideration of anyone else.

If this is true about your children being sick, and you lost one, you have my deepest sympathies. However, smoking AND second hand smoke does NOT create asthma. There are countless studies out there that I am surprised you missed.

And if your child had asthma, why would a sane man even THINK of taking them around people who smoke? I know McDonalds has been smoke free now for YEARS!

Cold air and exercise trigger asthma

The key triggers for asthma attacks are cold air, exercise, the menstrual cycle and aspirin, according to a new study.

Researchers carried out a study of 97 patients from the PARA UK database - the first ever long-term study of patients with "at risk" asthma.

They found:


175 posted on 11/06/2003 4:05:20 PM PST by SheLion (Curiosity killed the cat BUT satisfaction brought her back!!!)
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To: Eaker
I've talked to myself and all three of me agrees that I am not psychosomatic.
176 posted on 11/06/2003 4:05:50 PM PST by hotshot
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To: Eaker
I've talked to myself and all three of me agrees that I am not psychosomatic.
177 posted on 11/06/2003 4:05:54 PM PST by hotshot
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To: hotshot
Oak Ridge Labs & SHS Statistics and Data Sciences Group Projects

I think any anti who tries to dismiss the findings of the U.S. Department of Energy labs at Oak Ridge, should be confronted with the question: "Are you saying that DOE researchers committed scientific fraud and that their findings on ETS exposure are untrue?"

178 posted on 11/06/2003 4:09:47 PM PST by SheLion (Curiosity killed the cat BUT satisfaction brought her back!!!)
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To: hotshot
I spent $20,000.00 in restaurants in 2002.

You spend $54.79 every single day??? $20,000.00 / 365 = $54.79 per day.

No, you don't.

Could it be coincidental that maybe smoker can't afford $4.00 a pack cigs and $4.00 beers and that is why a bar goes under?

Hmmmm......you really are challenged by math and facts. In Houston cigs are $2.40 a pack and a beer in a bar is about $1.50. Both of which I can easily afford. However, I will not patronize an establishment for food or beer that does not allow smoking.

Now $54.79 EVERYDAY for meals is a bit more than I care to spend.

179 posted on 11/06/2003 4:11:18 PM PST by Eaker (When the SHTF, I'll go down with a cross in one hand, and a Glock in the other.)
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To: hotshot
You have been here since '98 and think I am a liberal? How would my stating that I don't believe that you are honest make me a liberal??

You do have a problem and it ain't me and it ain't smoking.

You might get a shrink to check under your hood as you really seem to have some serious issues.

180 posted on 11/06/2003 4:15:58 PM PST by Eaker (When the SHTF, I'll go down with a cross in one hand, and a Glock in the other.)
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