Springfield Bar Closing After Smoking Ban 'Cut 80 Percent of Sales'

Springfield Bar Closing After Smoking Ban 'Cut 80 Percent of Sales' - OzarksFirst.com:



Ray Hassen has owned Ray's Lounge for the last 15 years, but this year will be his last.

The bar at 1221 E Saint Louis Street will be closing after the end of the year.

"December 31 is my last night. I'm not going to renew my 2012 license," says Hassen. "We're going to have a big party and hopefully I can get rid of all my beer and liquor and close the door."

He says right after the citywide smoking ban went into effect, his business was cut by 80 percent.

"I felt it immediately, even though I have a patio for the smokers."

Sad.
I am amazed that people still try to deny the economic impacts of smoking bans.

Smoking ban ordinance read Monday » Local News » TheTimesTribune.com, Corbin, KY

Smoking ban ordinance read Monday » Local News » TheTimesTribune.com, Corbin, KY:


John T. Mullins, one of the owners of Corbin Bingo, asked commissioners to exclude bingo parlors from the ban.

Mullins estimated his operation could lose $500,000 raised for charities. In a written statement he handed to officials, he said 25 percent of the bingo hall is designated non-smoking. That area of the building is enclosed in glass and has a smoke removal system.

If the ban were passed, Mullins said it would likely drive customers to other bingo halls and his business could lose so much revenue he might be forced to close.

Kathy Lay, of the Whitley County Health Department, said there is no ventilation system capable of removing all particulate matter from the air that results from smoking. She also said studies have shown smoking bans have no impact on bingo hall revenues.

Bob Hammons, city attorney, said the more exceptions a city puts in a ban the more legal challenges it is likely to face.


Jesus Christ.
I know others have covered this better then I ever could but I can't find the posts right now.
I believe Belinda and Patsy Nurse both did stories on their blog about air filtration,they were great and they explained this more than I do.
I'll dig this up and edit this post later.