[SheLion]

A whole lot of time and research went into this. These two guys are to be commended!

Thanks David & Michael!!

[SheLion]

~whew! The time and energy and research that went into this must have been phenomenal!

[blackeagle]

bump

[nothingnew]

Thanks David & Michael!!

Indeed! Wonder if it will make any difference to the powerhungrytaxcrazednannie marxists?...........Nah.

FMCDH(BITS)

[Just A Nobody]

"A whole lot of time and research went into this. These two guys are to be commended!"

I concur! Thanks David & Michael.
Their work seems more investigative & scientific than say, sitting on your keester in an office, deciding what you want the outcome to be, creating a mathmatical equation to justify the end result, then feeding it into a computer. Good 'ole SAMMEC. Theirs required a lot more work.

Easier still...walk down a street in NYC or Brooklyn & count how many bars & restaurants have gone out of business in the last 2 years. It is quite impressive.

[republicangel]

I'm sorry, but to actually believe it..... you would have to have a non-smoker in the mix. As an ex-smoker with lots of lung problems, I won't go to a restaurant with smokers in it. I can't breathe. I admit that I have become the worst ex-smoker of all.

[Garnet Dawn]

Great work David and Michael! Wonderful information to use the next time someone gives California as an example of how well smoking bans are working. You put so much time and effort into this report. Thank you!

For those who haven't yet read Michael's book, "Dissecting Antismokers' Brains" http://www.antibrains.com/ , it is also entertaining, well researched and packed with detailed information on the anti-smokers' crusade and how to fight them.

______________________________
Garnet Dawn - The Smoker's Club, Inc. - Midwest Regional Director
The United Pro Choice Smokers Rights Newsletter - http://www.smokersclubinc.com
Illinois Smokers Group - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/illinoissmokers/
mailto:garnetdawn@comcast.net - Respect Freedom of Choice!

[Enterprise]

"California’s smoking ban probably contributed to its overall economic problems since the late 1990s beyond the direct impact of the contribution of lower bar and restaurant total revenues."

I had the temerity to write Governor Schwarzenegger and suggest that the State should allow 10% of the bars and restaurants to allow cigarette smoking, and that maybe a lottery system could be used to draw get the special licenses. I cited the loss of jobs and revenues as good reasons for modifying the no-smoking ban.

I got the expected "thank you for your interest" form letter.

[speekinout]

I'm glad to see such research. It confirms the anecdotal evidence I see from our local anti-smoking laws. There have been a number of closings of old-time restaurants and bars. Several others who spent a lot of money to segregate smoking and non-smoking areas with high-tech ventilation either went under or are barely surviving.
And one "new town" area that was promised to have many restaurants and small shops has turned out to be mostly carry-outs. High scale carry-outs, but still carry-out. Even their businesses might get hurt more if the anti-smoking cadre manages to get the laws changed so that smoking outdoors is also illegal. (In nice weather, many people buy from the carry-outs and eat in the picnic areas).

[MaxMax]

Wow, I love this raw data. Outstanding work.
/Salute

[MadIvan]

I'm still waiting for "smokeeasies" to open up, gangsters with tommy guns running cigarettes from abroad, and jazz music, the Packard with a running board and the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald to have a revival.

Regards, Ivan

[No Dems 2004]

I don't know about you guys but it seems a dead-end road to try to turn smoking into a 'right'. Smoking is disgusting, guys.

[lewislynn]

2003-Record Liquor License Applications in California

[A CA Guy]

Insanity, I live in California and there are more new businesses opening up than you can shake a stick at.

Some older venues are having trouble because of the change in life styles of the people.

As an example, Sizzlers are suffering, Carl's Juniors are installing dish TV to get sports to compete with the sports bars that are now the main successful places to own.

Anything not new isn't frequented these days often in California.

There are no economic losses, hotels are charging their highest rates and getting it.
Restaurants are mostly full.
Recreation is up.
Despite high gas prices, there are lots of cars with people merchandising inside from shop to shop.

You need a laugh track for this article.