Like most FReepers, I abhor heavy-handed government tactics designed to bring about behavioral changes -- outright smoking bans in bars and restaurants; "sin" taxes (personally, I think the tax rate on Marlboros, Dewar's Scotch, Shell 93 Octane, and skim milk should be the same); and the constant "you're gonna die if you don't quit doing that" barrage are all annoying.
On the other hand, I hate smoking, and do what I can short of rudeness to avoid smokers. Here in the heart of tobacco country, I suspect the percentage of adults who smoke is closer to 20% than to the 15.4% percent being reported in California. Still, non-smokers form a huge majority, and it's growing. So I would hope that stats such as those quoted in this story would help convince more bars and restaurants to voluntarily go smoke-free. Perhaps if enough establishments made that choice (particularly "high end" places, given the strong inverse relationship between smoking and income levels), government prohibitions might be staved off.
"So I would hope that stats such as those quoted in this story would help convince more bars and restaurants to voluntarily go smoke-free."
Feel free to risk your own capital and open one of these restaurants. You can also make your wishes known to the owners of the establishments you patronize.