Tobacco.org

LETTER: Smoking ban does more harm 

While the Fargo smoking ban has not been much on people’s minds since it was passed, consider the following:

In the studies I have seen referenced regarding results of the smoking ban, they lump restaurants and bars together. . . .

One argument I heard during the initial debate about the ban was that nonsmokers would go out more often once they didn’t have to worry about coming home smelling of smoke. That may be the case in some places (such as Big D’s, Bucks, etc.), but other places relied heavily upon their smoking patrons for revenue. . . . that’s $16.24 million in tax revenue just from cigarettes. As that number dwindles, that revenue is going to have to come from somewhere else – property tax, income tax, sales tax, etc.

I say, revoke the smoking ban. With the current recession, it’s only going to do more harm than good.

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