Quote:
Originally Posted by janmcn
IMO, Florida would never pass a statewide ban on smoking because a large share of Florida's economy depends on tourism and why would you alienate 25% of the population? Drive through any beachside town on a hot afternoon and you'll find that the patio dining and bars are mobbed, while the indoor dining (no smoking areas) have maybe two diners. One of the reasons restaurants and bars weren't effected by the original smoking ban was because a lot of them very quickly added outdoor eating and drinking areas.
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This argument was used before my current home state passed smoking restriction laws. After the laws were passed, there was no drop off in tourist or the bar business. Smokers are a minority. The laws may have actually increased the number of tourist and customers at restaurants and bars who do not like breathing other peoples smoke.