Smoking Bans Burn Buisness (In Delaware)

As Delaware's indoor smoking ban enters its third week, most establishments appear to be observing the law - even though opposition is growing among some tavern and restaurant owners who complain they are losing business.

People were smoking in only two of 33 bars and restaurants visited by News Journal reporters last week. Many tavern owners and patrons said they are obeying the law while organizing to try to overturn or amend it when the General Assembly returns in January. Several owners said they think they have lost 20 percent to 50 percent of their business since the ban went into effect on Nov. 27.

Some bar and restaurant owners, however, said a little more than two weeks may not be enough time to tell how much the ban will hurt businesses. Miserable weather, the holidays and the economy also may have as much to do with a sag in business as the smoking ban.

So why wasn't business sagging before the ban.

Yeah it is pretty Amazing how this "Miserable weather" just happen to start the day of the ban and by some great anomaly this bad weather is only effecting small little Delaware and not MD, Penn & NJ.

one bar in Wilmington is deliberately defying the ban by allowing its patrons to smoke and paying the hundred dollar or so fine daily -

You are obviously not paying attention to what is going on in Delaware. The owner of this establishment declared it to be a "smokeasy" prior to the implementation of the ban, and also declared it to be a private club.

The $100 fine is for a first offense, a second offense is a $250 fine and there is apparently no end to what the subsequent offenses will be in terms of fines.

As I said, you are obviously not paying attention to what is going on in Delaware - the establishment was fined primarily because there were ashtrays in sight, not because anyone was smoking. What business wants peanut shells on their foor - what better use for otherwise unusable ashtrays?

they'll probably bring in enough extra customers to cover the fines, but doubtless the state will eventually come up with some additional charges such as conspiracy to finally put them under

The state doesn't need to come up with additional charges, the liquor license of any establishment is in immediate jeopardy if there is any violation of any state law by the holder of such license.

- got to admire their gumption though.......

I not only admire it it - I wish more would do so.

The vast majority of businesses such as the Coach House opposed this idiocy from the beginning, but because the "Restaurant Association" representing less than a fourth of the restaurants and none of the bars in the state, said OK when the bars and casinos were added, it was a done deal.

Tyranny of the majority is bad enough - but when a tiny minority can make the decision for the majority it is a very sad day for the Republic.

Yeah it is pretty Amazing how this "Miserable weather" just happen to start the day of the ban and by some great anomaly this bad weather is only effecting small little Delaware and not MD, Penn & NJ.

Amazing, isn't it????

I can't say anything about PA or NJ because I don't choose to trravel north. But the places near the state line with MD in southern Delaware are doing a BOOMING business.

An Eagles game or a Redskins game is going to attract lots of folks to the local sports bars around here. But when you have and Eagles/Redskins game - most places are standing room only, if you can even get in the door.

I will admit there were more cars in the parking lots of the local sports bars today than last Sunday - but I still had a pick of choice parking spaces.

I can't say that about the VFW or the Elks Lodge - where smoking is permitted.

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