[RandallFlagg]

Sorry it took so long. I'm at work and I got a little busy.

Why would restaurants go out of business because no smoking is permitted?

If the resturant has 60-70% smokers who are it's customers, the customers go elsewhere.

Don't smokers still get just as hungry?

We sure do.

Don't nonsmokers go out to eat?

I wouldn't know. I'm not a nonsmoker.

In an upscale place like Howard County, most people don't smoke anyway, so I wouldn't think the customer base in Columbia would be much affected by a smoking ban.

Are you advocating the dismissal of the few for the many?

As it is you hardly see anybody smoking anymore, except for the poor, who aren't a big source of revenue to Howard County restaurant owners.

Then why is the president of the Howard County Restaurant Association argung against the ban?

I am not trying to argue, just trying to understand.

No prob.

(so I can watch you catch it) ;9)

Catch what?

Perhaps you have more data on this, SheLion?

[SheLion]

Perhaps you have more data on this, SheLion?

Your answers were very good, Randall.  I can only speak for myself, but when it's my time and my dime, I spend it the way I want to spend it.  Why would I go out to eat in a restaurant that didn't allow smoking, when I truly enjoy smoking before and after my meal with my coffee and/or beverage?

Why rush in, eat and rush out again? Heck, I can do take out and eat at home where I can relax.  I used to be a good tipper too.  Pity.  But when Maine forced the smoking ban, that did it for me.

I use my eating out money for other causes. :)

[Fairview]

So let me understand--what you are saying is, if you can't smoke, you and most smokers will stop going out to eat? With smoking bans in Montgomery County, Howard County, and DC, there won't be many places for smokers to go out to eat in central Maryland.

Speaking as a nonsmoker myself, someone who LOVES a smoke-free atmosphere, I am generally opposed to smoking bans. Let the market decide; let the private restaurant owner make a decision about how he wants his space used. The point I'm trying to make is, probably only 15% of the people in upscale, health-conscious Howard County smoke, and those are the ones who don't have much disposable income for dining out anyway. So I'm wondering how losing 15% of the customer base will drive many restaurants out of business. Statistically most of their customers now must be nonsmokers.

It doesn't affect me much one way or another; I'm only trying to understand, without criticizing smokers.