This is not an anti smoking blurb...just an opinion and observation:
Several years ago when our non smoking in public establishments laws were in the making,many casino operators as well as pub/hotel/restaurant owners were convinced that their businesses would fold due the fact that they thought that smokers would no longer eat,drink or gamble. The smokers all said that they would not set foot in businesses where they could not smoke.
Well....the laws were passed and guess what?....revenues went up -skyrocketed in fact- due to the fact that more non smokers started to go to the places that they could not stand to go to before due to the health hazards of smoking....and non smokers GREATLY outnumbered smokers! Business profits actually increased in revenue. People who literally had not been to these types of establishments for years,all of a sudden decided to start going out more, now that the odor of smoke would not be in their hair,clothes,lungs etc. Pubs actually had more people now show up to eat, drink and socialize
Guess what else happened? Well...those same smokers who swore that they would not go to movies,restaurants,bars,and pubs ,realized that they were in the minority and they also realized,that they could still have a good time without blowing smoke in peoples faces and polluting their surroundings.
I have several friends who are severely hooked on ciggies. We still go all out and have fun and...when the urge hits them,they then step outside to enjoy a puff.
Look...the cigarette manufacturers have caused much harm with their addictive product,so many cannot and will not quit. I do agree that smokers should have places where they can smoke...just not inside where non smoker's are. Second hand smoke causes damage. Non smokers are in the majority in Canada and the USA(unless you live in Montreal). Hopefully,by having these bans,our next generation will not be victim to this cancer causing product that,let's face it,is only available so that governments can,1:tax the crap out of it and 2:Turn more people into addicts so that they can reap even more benefits in the future,when their children start to smoke as well.
As I think I mentioned before......maybe last year....our casinos did have rooms set aside so that people could smoke. The filtration in these rooms was fantastic as you could walk by that room and not smell a thing. That was fair to everyone. Those rooms no longer exist due to pressure placed on the government to eliminate all smoking. Revenues are still up.
I sincerely feel bad for smokers,but do believe that these bans,over time,will be beneficial to all.