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

[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. .

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Last Update: Saturday, November 01, 2003

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[Gabz]

I agree with you about the idiots in Delaware government. But your own words make your stance on the smoking ban even more confusing to me.

I would think that as a business owner hurt by the over controlling government you would be on the side of the small businesses being hurt by the smoking ban.

As I said, I have nothing against your desire for smoke-free venues. What I don't understand, is your apparent support of more business-unfriendly government mandates against others. A lot of these people do not have the option of closing up and moving else where as you did. And many of them are long time friends and so it pains me to see them being financially impacted by people who would never have set foot in their establishments to begin with.

I have finished paying property taxes in Delaware, but because I didn't move to Virginia until the spring I'm going to have a hefty tax return to file in Delaware for this year. For both income and the sale of my Dover home. But after calling Kent County home for more than 20 years it is rather hard to just walk away from many of the things I was involved in over the years, so I am there on a frequent basis.

If you're ever going to be down Rte 13 in Accomac County drop me a FReepmail. We can grab lunch in Pizza Hut, as it's the only totally non-smoking restaurant I am aware of in the area (except foro fast food joints). I'm sure there are others, I just haven't been in them as they tend to be more along the lines of "family" restaurants and I prefer to have a glass of wine or a beer when I am out for a meal. Most (not all) of the restaurants around here have smoking and non-smoking sections, the smoking sections generally being twice the size of non-smoking even in the more upscale places.

[hotshot]

And I pay $150 more a month in health insurance so you can "enjoy" your addiction. Never forget a friend from Federalsburg, MD that smoked through the hole in his throat after they took his tongue, voice box, jaw and other smoke related injury to himself out. "enjoy!"

[lodwick]

Puff bttt

[cherinfl]

I certainly will enjoy myself!!! Your friend still continued to smoke after the surgery and I bet he enjoyed every puff!!!!!!!!!!!

[swarthyguy]

You think the ninnynanny fascisti in granny shoes CARE?

Laughing. They love it. Whatever the economic price, this is a good thing in their state power drenched intoxicated haze.

Unemployed smokers can't afford smokes anymore anyway, with the exorbitant taxes levied.

I just look forward to new nanny laws that po even the unsmoker.

I'm surprised the enviros haven't used the smoking precedents to go after the internal combustion engine.

Massachusetts goes statewide with its ban May 2004.

[CSM]

"And I pay $150 more a month in health insurance so you can "enjoy" your addiction."

That is a strawman argument and you know it. But if you want to talk like that, I also pay an extra $150 a month for health insurance, my extra costs are due to so many retirees living longer and taking more drugs than at any time in history. I haven't needed to go to the doctor but twice in the last 10 years and yet I seem to have a constant increase in the cost of my health insurance.

I say we ban perscription drugs in this country. It would be better for all of society by reducing everyone's cost of health insurance!

I bet you hate major increases in government programs. Oh, except the expansion of the prescription drug coverage! That one would benefit you.

[cinFLA]

Well, when a business closes, what good is it then!

Even if the above is true, then it is the nasty ol' smokers to blame for taking their business away from these establishments. Boo on the smokers for taking food from the childrens' mouths.

[hotshot]

Look I think it would be great to have separate smoking area such as English's in North Salisbury. Md. I think that Delaware went to far on its total ban. Florida is just as bad. Let's kiss and make up!(but brush your teeth if you just smoked please!)

[jsbankston]

If the above-mentioned bars and restaurants closed due to smoking ban in their jurisdiction why is it that not ALL bars in restaurants on those jurisdictions also closed?

[CSM]

"Even if the above is true, then it is the nasty ol' smokers to blame for taking their business away from these establishments. Boo on the smokers for taking food from the childrens' mouths."

Yep, the same lack of logic you use to support your pro WOD stance. The next step in your logic will be government legislation forcing the smokers to spend a certain amount of money in bars and restaurants. Of course, you too believe in personal freedom and liberty, as long as it is convenient for you.

The state, not the smokers, took the business away. The smokers are just living by the rules the state has set up.

[cinFLA]

The state, not the smokers, took the business away. The smokers are just living by the rules the state has set up.

No. The smokers left; probably because without smoking they realized just how bad the food was at these places ....

[cinFLA]

If the above-mentioned bars and restaurants closed due to smoking ban in their jurisdiction why is it that not ALL bars in restaurants on those jurisdictions also closed?

Because some had better food and better managers.

[CSM]

"If the above-mentioned bars and restaurants closed due to smoking ban in their jurisdiction why is it that not ALL bars in restaurants on those jurisdictions also closed?"

It is really amazing to me how many freepers don't have an economic clue. How about, when a market demand decreases, the market decreases and the remaining demand is met. If all of the dissatisfied non-smokers were already going out to eat and socialize with adult beverages, then this ban is allowing those establishments to maintain their business. The place that had the predominate smoking customer base can no longer afford to stay open. The few customers that will now want to go out, will be supported by less restaurants or bars.

[jimt]

Thanks for the post !

[CSM]

"No. The smokers left;"

No, the smokers were driven away by the state. Are all citizens obligated to ensure that all businesses started are economically viable? Or is it up to the market to determine naturally? The state has unfairly weakened the businesses that were once strong and are now weak and dead!

By your logic, we can blame non smokers for not allowing the businesses to make more revenue than they were already making. The non smokers caused them to lose profits before the ban. We should have been able to force non smokers into these places before the ban.

You really are a mental midget, which is typical of an anti freedom fighter!

[jsbankston]

Because some had better food and better managers.

So what you are saying is that some bars and restaurants fail because their food and/or management is sub-par and when competing against similar businesses that have better food and better management they fail?

Therefore, the smoking ban has nothing to do with these businesses failing but rather they fail because their product is not as good as their competitor.

Gee, I love Capitalism!

[cinFLA]

The state has unfairly weakened the businesses that were once strong and are now weak and dead!

Provide a basis for your claim.

[cinFLA]

Strange. I just called two of the restuarants you listed as closed and they are serving lunch! Hmmmmm

[Gabz]

I really wish you had said that when you first came on this thread - instead of what you did say in the beginging :-)

But seriously, FReepmail me if y'all are going to be passing through Accomac county. I'm only a couple of miles from the Maryland line. I have lots of non-smoking friends and we always cooperate with each other when it comes to socializing. I was being sarcastic with my reference to Pizza Hut, I don't particularly care for the place, but our daughter won a certificate for a pizza in their pumpkin decorating contest through school and there was no way we were going to get out of taking her there last weekend!!!

[CSM]

"Therefore, the smoking ban has nothing to do with these businesses failing but rather they fail because their product is not as good as their competitor.

Gee, I love Capitalism!"

Yes, I agree that this is a lesson in capitalism. The fact is that the market now has fewer customers to win to their business. Therefore, fewer customers, means less revenue available. There will occur competition between all restaurants and bars for this limited revenue. This competition will continue until the capacity to serve the available customers has balanced with the number of customers available. That means that businesses will continue to fail until the right capacity is available to serve the market. It also means that there will occur a decrease in product offered. The same phenomonon occurs when Walmart moves into a town. The difference is that the capacity increased, choices increased, the market freely chose which capacity to use and which capacity to eliminate.

That is not the way things are happening here. If you remove the people that would like the world to revolve around themselves (like you), we had a relatively satisfied market. The capacity had already balanced to the market's needs. We then dissatisfied a large percentage of that market. In the absence of satisfaction these available customers left the market. Now, we have to balance the capacity available by eliminating it.

Now, what caused the number of available customers to decrease? That was caused by the government legislation, that has not been disputed by anyone. If you would like to show any other event that caused the number of avialable customers to decrease, then feel free.

If you can't understand this then I would suggest taking a basic econ course at your local CC. That would be enough to give you the basic economic understanding you are obviously lacking.