Eat and breath

[oldr_n_wsr]

A number of years (2 or 3 IIRC) before the NY state total ban on smoking in resturants and bars was enacted, the state first told the bars with eateries and resturants that if they didn't ban smoking totally, they could split the place in two (more space to non smoking) with a physical barrier (some kind of floor to ceiling wall) and install a major air filtration system for both sides. Bars that did not provide food only needed to install the air filtration system. Most places I know of chose to remain a smoking establishment and installed the things that were necessary at great expense. I believe the owner telling me it $50K for the air filtration system to be installed at the bar i frequented at the time. A diner near my home installed a glass wall and installed a seperate entrance for for smokers along with the filtrations system. (of course there was a "short list" of approved filtrations systems)

Less than two years later, NY bans smoking in all bars and resturants and the owners of these establishments were on the hook for all this installed equipment that they no longer use. And then business falls off over 20% due to the smoking ban.

They way the resturant/bar business was explained to me by a guy who owns three bar/resurants. Smokers are more likely to be heavier drinkers. Heavier drinkers tend to stay longer after their meal which means bigger tabs and bigger tips which works out to more profits and a higher income for his staff. After the ban, smokers either didn't come out all together (not to his bars nor resturants) or when they did they had a drink or two and left or had a meal and left right after it. No extra drinks, no extra income.

But I don't mind the smoking ban (although I still think each establishment should be allowed to decide on their own). Cut my "bar time" smoking down about 90%.

[Jarlaxle]

I have worn a respirator many times...it's a pain in the ass (especially in the summer), but not that big a deal.

[Joe Guy]

It's no big deal.

Here's how they deal with smoke in the non-smoking side of a church...