[VRWC_minion]

If he feels it is in his best interest to ban smoking, then finds that his competitors are doing better business than he is, it would be in his best interest to go back to allowing smoking.

Banning smoking decreases costs, especially labor and table turnover. If revenues stay the same then its profits increase. Revenues will stay the same so long as smoking is banned in all restaurants.

Therefore, its in a big businesses best interest to ban smoking. In the long run his bottom line is highest.

He has a duty to his shareholders to provide the largest profit possible. If getting legislation passed enhances his profits then he has a duty to lobby as hard as he can for that legislation.

This is simple capitalism at his best.

[CSM]

In other words, if he makes a choice that hurts the value of his business, the most capatilastic action is to turn to the government to help "level the playing field"?

You really are blind to how a free market society is supposed to work, aren't you? What other areas of the market would you like the government force to be used to "level the playing field"?

Only a coward needs the government to defend his business decisions. Only the business that should not survive needs a "level playing field" provided by government force. The next steps is lobbying for a required schedule for customers to frequent certain establishments. I certainly don't want to be told which establishments to give my business to in the name of the "greater good".

But, to you that is capitalism. You should sign up for an economics class at your local community college, it would be money well spent.

[Just another Joe]

Banning smoking decreases costs, especially labor and table turnover.

That is only your assertation, minion. I have seen no numbers anywhere to corroborate this.

[netmilsmom]

>>Banning smoking decreases costs, especially labor and table turnover. If revenues stay the same then its profits increase. Revenues will stay the same so long as smoking is banned in all restaurants.<<

Reference please.

[Gabz]

You are absolutely nuts.

It is not in the best interest of a business that has gone smoke free to seek government pressure to force other businesses to do the same. That is economic suicide if being smoke-free is so profitable.

This particular city coucilcritter has a major conflict of interest issue here.