Ban supporters say that business goes up post ban, but most of that "evidence" is that bar receipts increased in NY post ban. But the key to that data is that NY had just been hit by the 9/11 attacks and was in a recession so using that as the base year is not instructive, as business would have gone up anyway, possibly much more.

I guess ban supporters don't exactly flood the bars when they become smokefree, as they purport that they will do. Honestly, I think that people who are that concerned about their health are never going to be the lifeblood of a barkeep.
Leonardo | Homepage | 04.18.06 - 5:04 pm | #

Thanks for the emphysema. Preich.
jj | 04.19.06 - 4:02 pm | #

So I went into minnies again this weekend. Pre-smoking ban it was about 45 minutes to get a seat, and another 45 minutes to get your food.

Post smoking ban it is possible to grab your food in 30 minutes or less. That's how much business has dropped.
bago | 04.19.06 - 5:37 pm | #

Not to mention the En has resorted to cold-calling its regulars to keep business up. Nobody enforces the 25 foot rule if you are outside. It's 5 feet max.
bago | 04.19.06 - 6:08 pm | #

Here in LA we have a few bars that just post a sign stating that you will be fined $500 if you are caught smoking. It's a nice touch that those signs are starting to yellow from smoke...
Area Man | 04.19.06 - 6:59 pm | #

I guess you see what you want to see, and not this:

"Business is booming at the Wedgwood Ale House in Seattle.

"It's very noticeable," said manager Derek Arntz, who voted against the ban in November. "The restaurant is a lot more crowded."

Most of the smokers are still coming, Arntz said, but there are definitely some who haven't returned. He said he's getting customers who used to go to the nonsmoking bar in the neighborhood."

and this

"At Two Bells Bar & Grill in Seattle, owner Jeff Lee says some smokers have left but they've been replaced by many new faces at lunch. "From my point of view, it's been great," Lee said."

and maybe this
"Even though he's a smoker, bartender Andy Evans said, "As someone stuck behind the bar in the wintertime, it's great not to have smoke in my face."

Business is up, especially snack sales. "Smokers need something to do with their hands," Evans said."

So it's a mixed bag, not a slam dunk.
jj | 04.19.06 - 8:11 pm | #

jj- yes, there are some business who are reporting increased sales. But Baylen's point was that the ban has hurt the working class bars, which is true.
Leonardo | Homepage | 04.21.06 - 12:17 pm | #

I have attempted to get more information on how the smoking ban affects private clubs to no avail. King Co. has no information for me other than to say "You Can't Smoke Anywhere". If any of you have any more info it would be greatly appreciate. I have been trying to open a private club specializing in Traditional Arabic Shisha (flavored Tobacco, which has been smoked for over 1000 years by locals) and this isn't going over well with the county. Even though anyone who enters the establishment has to sign up for a club membership and all who come in are wanting to smoke the traditional hooka pipe. ???
Shane | 06.23.09 - 7:04 pm | #