[Fairview]

I am asking this out of a sincere desire to understand, not to be sarcastic or liberal. I'm ignorant about this because I don't smoke. Here goes:

Why would restaurants go out of business because no smoking is permitted? Don't smokers still get just as hungry? Don't nonsmokers go out to eat? 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. 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.

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

[Ditter]

bump


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

[Dr.Syn]

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

Because the bar business dries up.

In CT, the bar business went to the indian casinos or private clubs (both of which are allowed to have smoking). The rest of the bars saw huge declines in customers and revenues...and tables full of people who stay all night and drink one soda.

For whatever reason, it seems that non-smokers do not drink as much or go to bars as often as smokers.

[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?

[The Foolkiller]

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

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Because I will not pay to go to reform school.