Scott, we're not seeing that kind of decline over here in the Destin area, but you might also consider that the last two or three hurricane seasons (not counting this year!) have been a financial disaster for the Gulf Coast area, Pensacola in particular, something that probably has FAR more to do with a drop in business than any cigarette ban.

Admittedly, I'm not involved much in the VFW and Elks type venues over here, doing mostly resorts, but smokers are smokers, no matter their income. Just where, exactly, are these people going if NOT to clubs?

The clubs are also hiring young inexperienced temporary workers because they don't want to pay health and benefits. It's cheaper to bring in workers from Latvia and Hungary than it is to hire local experienced workers.....

I'm interested in what clause of the constitution guarantees smokers the right to endanger the lives of non-smokers..... the right to bear arms?

Tony mads' post illustrates the hypocrisy of cigar smokers - while he laments some OTHER jack-a$$ blowing smoke while HE's playing, he enjoys going out to listen to jazz while doing essentially the same thing.....

Addiction is a terrible thing...... I know my life would have been a lot different if I wasn't hooked on playing music! But at least it isn't as life threatening as it used to be.....

Diki ... Perhaps, but on the few occasions I did that I MADE SURE I was far away from the entertainer ......
t.

Perhaps, Tony, but you and I both know that in a poorly ventilated, small jazz club (what other kind is there?!!), it doesn't matter a whole lot WHERE the cigar smoker sits, pretty soon it affects your voice (and concentration!).....

This wasn't a personal dig at you in particular, just an illustration of how deep the hold nicotine can have on it's users, to the point that behavior not tolerated in others is somehow justified by the addicts themselves. It's kind of like saying 'I HATE people who yell and scream right in front of the band during quiet numbers, so I make sure that when I yell and scream during quiet numbers, I do it from the back of the audience.....'

Isn't it SO much nicer for everyone else if you take it outside........?

A wise man said:" Havng a smoking section in a restaurant is like having a peeing section in a swimming pool".

Here in Arizona the voters passe a comprehensive ban of smoking in public places, and defeated the proposition sponsored by the tobacco companies which would allow smoking in restaurants and bars, kill funding for the enforcement of other smoking laws, and neutered all other no-smoking ordnances.

I don't share the view that these tough anti-smoking laws are unconstitutional - all these laws deal with smoking in public places, which the governments can and do regulate. Compare it to sex - people are free to do it in privacy of their home, but people are generally prohibited from engaging in sex in public and have indecency acts to prevent it, despite much more positive impact on the paricipants' health than smoking.

I feel sorry for the misfortunes of the tobacco growers. I also symathize with the perils of the cocaine (coca) growers in Latin America (and other places), whose livelihoods are threatened by the aggressive anti-drug efforts of the evil policemen and godless DEA, and the plight of the bootleggers who are harmed by the repeal of the Prohibition

Regards,
Alex

Well here in Australia (specifically the State of Queensland) we have had a Total smoking ban since July (this year, 2006) and I've been talking to many Club Owners/Managers where we play.

Roughly (this is my own observation) the following has happened:

Club patronage, at first, dipped by approx 10% - and now has (pretty much) got back to normal.

I say pretty much because one of 2 things happened...

1. The club/venue actually had new members/visitors come in (or back) to the clubs BECAUSE there was no smoke.

2. Some clubs are still "down" as rebellious, sulky smokers (gee I guess you can see which side of the argument I'm on - huh?) are holding "smoking parties" in their own homes in "protest".

I notice that (as a general rule) the clubs that have less people in them, and more "negativity" are in lower income areas.

I don't know how it is in other Countries, but generally in Queensland, people less educated and in poorer, working class areas tend to be smokers, and angry at "the man" for "taking away their rights" etc etc....

Should have happened years ago as far as I'm concerned.

Smoking is a sad ridiculous habit.

(yes, yes, just my humble, misguided opinion....)

Flame me now smokers!

P.S. My voice lasts all night now and no more filthy, stinking clothes after a gig!!!!

I have been a non-smoker since I saw the light in 1990 and have enjoyed many more delights of taste and smell.
I used to play snooker a lot . But I recently went to my old club for a couple of hours for a game .There is not a smoking ban there.
When I came home my clothes stank of nicotine. I have not been back since.
cheers
Eddie



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Eddie from Rotherham
Skype:eddiefromrotherham
www.yamahakeyboards.info

Not taken as such ...
... and yes, it is ...

t.

FWIW, I hate cig smoke but I'd rather have to contend with that anyday versus cigar smoke. That is the stinkingest stuff ever invented. Just awful. OTOH, when I was young, I used to like to smell pipe tobacco. I haven't smelled anyone smoking a pipe in decades. Isn't that odd. That really went out of fashion.

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Bill
Yamaha PSR2000

My personal views..Thank goodness for the direction we are going in banning smoking in public places..It serves no sensible reason to put up with the stink in our environment..

We better soon curb smoking in this country..it has ruined enough lives..
I don't want it to be around my grand-kids..I am pretty sure they will know it is dumb to go with peer pressure..

After all , their parents [all, my kids and their spouses] do not smoke..

I can't help to be so negative about smoking and it's effects on health...any dummy should realize this by now...As it has been mentioned..it is an addiction..

Come on smokers , wake up for your own sake....chew gum..or have a mint..

BTW I didn't realize, sex in public was against the law...I better call Uncle Dave and remind him..

A little off topic

My 2 cents worth.

I'm an X smoker (9 years or so) and just got back from Vegas. 3rd year in a row getting a sore throat. I love to play poker and have to pay the price for it. There is no smoking in the poker rooms but the smoke stills gets to you from the casino's.

There has to be better technology to handle the second hand smoke. Vegas has an advantage with the climate in that they heat the outddors with gas canopee's so people can dance and listen to music, of course Vegas has more money then the US governement. (Joke)

Now what really gets me with all the money the Tobacco companies had to cough up is where it went. It should have gone into more research and hospital care for the poor who actually payed the bill.

Last but not least I did get to hear some pretty darned good music. I should have wrote down the name of a group playing at the Orleans they could rock and had a few great skits. All in all a good time. If anyone is planning a trip soon be careful of the slots they were screwed down tight. Ask my significant other or any of the loacals to see if it has changed any.

Jerry