local bar owners are having a tough time. The big problem is, that this totally coincides with ASU letting out for the school year. In past conversations with local merchants (of all types) around the campus over the years, a huge percentage of their business drops every year at this time. Some of them struggle to stay open through the summer. Others close their doors entirely.
I read this article in the local Tribune. The way it was written, it was made to blame the whole decline in business on the smoking ban. This is not completely accurate. You can't have regular business when the student population of Tempe drops significantly over the summer.
Nonetheless, I still (as a nonsmoker) voted against the ban. It will be more accurate to assess the damage in the fall, when the kids return to class.
On the day before Thanksgiving a full statewide smoking ban will take effect in Delaware. The only exceptions to the ban will be Fire Halls and fraternal organizations (Moose, Elk, VFW, etc)
It hasn't take effect yet, but one restaurant I am familiar with has already had more than 7 cancellations of Christmas parties. They have all moved to the local Moose lodge.