And THAT is what the "level playing field" is all about.
The "fact" is that when you take away a percentage of local consumers from the smaller establishments, they can't stay in business.
The larger chains can eat the drop and wait for the smaller businesses to go OUT OF business.
What a way to gain market share, using government force to make your competition go out of business.
And you condone this.
Shame on you.
There are no figures that say it is a cost savings to go nonsmoking. Period. Otherwise you would be touting them to the high heavens.
That is what they did in Delaware.
The Delaware Restaurant Association is predominantly made up of the owners and franchise holders of chain businesses. They fought the ban, until it included bars, then they used strong arm tactics to get the little guys who were not members to go along with them.
I know this because I was right smack in the middle of the battle and witnessed it first hand.........because I can't provide links to my experience there will be some that will question my assertions, but those that know me and know what I did for so long in Delaware will know that I am not making up what I am saying.