That, and the cost of eating out too.
But that's another thread...

I just hope that restaurants and bars don't end up closed due to this ban!

I don't see anything wrong with stepping out of a pub/bar for a smoke, if I have to.

As for clubs, whether the bouncers keep track of all the smokers that step out for a smoke, remains a mystery. Wouldn't be so chuffed if I were to step out for a smoke, and the bouncers then refuse you entry after that.

A "chop" on their hands?

These places will actually see some of my money when this happens. So perhaps it will all even out?

Where have we heard that before? Oh yes in the UK, where pubs are closing at an alarming rate!

I was observing this last week that during the weekdays that traffic seems to be a bit lighter. This makes sense as children won't be out with their parents during the school day. Who knows where all of the smokers during the whole day used to come from. I know why I have lots of free time, but that's because I don't work and am a kept man.

During the weekend it is a different story. The local cafes and restaurants were packed. They didn't look like they had more people in them because there are only so many tables and chairs. However, the lines to get served and use the eating spaces were longer than usual. In other words, more turnover therefor more money. Also, there were more children with these people eating out as well.

If Switzerland is like most places the end result will be the same. Eventually people will realise that they can take their children with them to restaurants and Families will be comfortable going out. This will teach others that it is good and nice to go out and the revenue lost to lack of smoking and the like will be replaced with revenue from the new type of customers that have been staying away and less cleaning and other incidental costs. Plus, a significant fraction of smokers don't really care if they can't smoke, don't want to breathe other smokers smoke and don't mind the inconvenience.

The danger exists in situations where establishments were on the edge of failing and don't have a firmly rooted clientele that will be loyal during the shift that occurs during the first three months or so. In the long run it is just a blip that only affects those that fail to make the transition. The other instances are given like pubs in the UK failing. What is not being taken into account is the large numbers of coffee houses that have been opening that seems to matching the pub closings. While this is sad for the pubs the truth is that the business paradigm is shifting. I assume that people are less likely to drink if they can't smoke at the same time. However, they do want to hang with their friends and therefor go to a coffee house instead. Maybe some of these pubs should get some Baristas?

From my own point of view, I have eaten out more times since the ban went into effect in Vaud than I did during the previous year. I also am finally comfortable when I am out shopping or even just waking about in public spaces for the first time since I moved here. I also don't have to worry about my daughter getting exposed to the toxins and carcinogens either. It is nice.

Brian.

It isn't going to happen and more and more places will go bust!

But that has nothing to do with any other factors such as unlimited hours, pricing by the breweries, younger people choosing alternatives such as nightclubs, recession, alcohol taxes, etc. ?

I guess it depends on the country.

I suppose smokers accomodate much faster than non-smokers , simply because smokers do not mind some fresh air too... It is quite different from a non-smoker's point of view though.

You lot have got what you wanted in most countries but still you stay at home

so all the pubs are empty and the people are signing on!!

OK, maybe the UK is unique. In the States this has not become a problem.
As I said after a few months the transition is over and things move forward. The bars and other social venues are still there. They may be mildly different but there would be some change even if there was no Ban.

Unfortunately a lot of the change is correlative and not causal. It doesn't stop it from being unpleasant to the owners of the places that close. But it doesn't mean that closings wouldn't have happened anyway.

Besides, I observed something else happening in the UK over the past 20 years. I remember 15 or more years ago one could go into a restaurant and not suffocate due to smoke inhalation. Then slowly, over time, it got worse and worse, until I couldn't go into hardly any restaurants. One couldn't even walk into a pub without reeking. I don't know what happened but it wasn't good for me and I wasn't trying to hang out in bars or night clubs or what have you. I was a tourist in the UK just trying to have a decent meal. I didn't know what had changed and to be honest I didn't care. Maybe the cigarettes changed. Maybe the double glazing got better. Who knows? What I do know is that my quality of life went into the toilet and smokers and servers didn't care. (and they spoke english )

When a segment of the population is marginalised through no fault of their own they push back. If there had been an attempt at rapprochement then things would probably be different. I would have been happier as I wouldn't have had to suffer through years of pain for the privilege of being able to go out and eat in public. I guess if you don't understand then I can't change your mind. But take it from me, reasonable behaviour at the outset would have been the best solution.

Good Luck,
Brian.

People opened non smoking restaurants. what happened, no one used them, so they closed!

For the love of God can you stop flogging this horse in every thread.
Evidence please.

This bit about the smoking ban destroying pub revenues..I haven't seen any evidence of it besides in a few pub/inn keeping studies and right at the start of the ban.
There is a lot of empirical evidence which suggests that in fact the smoking ban has increased some pub's revenue.

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/investi...3&in_page_id=3
June this year.

http://caonline.amcancersoc.org/cgi/.../full/57/6/367
This site also lists a number of empirical studies.

But, I didn't ask for a non-smoking restaurant. I just asked for a non-smoking section. I couldn't get one anywhere and that is when the bans come in.

Brian.

Amd if they do so, so be it.

I bet a few pizza sellers went out of business when the Coloseum in Rome banned gladiator fighting and the like and the Coloseum went out of favour.

Things move on.

Hope it isn't your job!

Stop burying your head in the sand. How many pubs need to close before you dogooders realise that all you are doing is putting people on the dole!

On the other hand if it was a job that could have ended a life prematurely through passive smoking, then perhaps it is better to lose the job. You can always get another job, lives are not so easy...

You haven't been to a club in Zurich then; you get branded/braceleted in them- you can always get back in.

I was recently in a club in Thun (don't ask); it was non-smoking inside and had a smoking area where most of the people could be found. Since the club was not full that night, their lack of presence could be felt.

Still, I don't like smoke.