Jump to full article: AP, 2003-12-28
Intro: Restaurant owners are convinced, Montgomery County's new smoking ban is costing them money.
A spokesman for a group representing owners says at least two restaurants have closed since the county banned indoor smoking back in October. The owner of a Wheaton restaurant tells the Washington Post, his business is down at least 40 percent.
Anti-smoking advocates say data from other communities where restaurant smoking has been banned shows most do fine when the ban is implemented uniformly.
But here, smokers can take their business out of Montgomery County to neighboring counties or the District.
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