Quote Originally Posted by Darkislander View Post
I spent 28 years in the hotel business and wished the smoking ban had come a lot sooner than it did. Yes it has had a slight impact on drink sales, the sale of food in bars has since increased. So I've got 28 years worth of other peoples smoke in my lungs. It's all been worth it - not !
The impact on sales is always the argument bar owners put forward. However, it has been found that usually sales actually increase. The smokers still come to the bar because they want their booze; they just step outside to smoke. Plus, all the non-smokers who never came in before because of the smoke now come in and patronize the establishment.

Maryland now has a ban on all bars and restaurants and I find it quite refreshing. I do get a kick out of all the smokers making their regular trips outside to feed their habit. I went to a place to play pool the other night and hadn't been there since before the ban. It was so nice to come out of there without reeking of cigarettes.