[SheLion]

Where are we? 1943 GERMANY? Does anyone really care how this is going to cut into the small business's around the state? Does anyone really believe that the non-smokers will pick up the slack from the smokers not going out anymore? Does anyone care?

When did we give such power to the Partnership for a Tobacco Free Maine? They are being paid for by the Maine smokers who pay Maine Taxes on cigarettes. What do they do with the money? They sponsor RACING TEAMS and RACE TRACKS across the state, and they use OUR money to ban, control and restrict us.

Does anyone care????

[SheLion]

I would like any bar/tavern/sports inn owner to keep in contact with me so we can compare notes from around the State and in 6 months to one year, let's just see how bad this will hurt a business. I have been following this since 1999, when other business's across the United States were forced into a smoking ban. It's not a pretty picture.

Smoking Bans Bad For Business

[BureaucratusMaximus]

Does anyone care????

Of course they care...its all for the children. I can't WAIT till they do something like this to ban/regulate fast food.

/sarcasm

[SheLion]

Air is clear, patrons scarce after smoking ban

SMOKING BAN ACCOMPLISHES LITTLE, OTHER THAN BURDENING BUSINESSES

[Axenolith]

Does anyone care????

Probably not, so make sure to remind them of it when they come around shrieking about some tax or restriction on something they like (snack food comes to mind)...

[sawyer]

Who knows what is going on. In Ca in '98 when I was last there it was the same. No smoking in bars.I do not like to even go to large cities any more or fly. I recall when this was a free country. This silly endless do not do this and wars are wearing me out.I spent 20 years in the middle of the service life style and it was not as bad as this. Frankly the terrorist need not do another thing. They have won.It is really hard to believe that a country of almost 300 million people would let the death of 2000 people by 12 people brings us to our knees. So be it.