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" I have seen first hand what smoking bans can do - It's very simple- They close down bars - I saw this in Ireland and Scotland this past year- Long established well known bars virtually empty at the normally busiest times, Many have closed their doors for good- Hope you are proud McLean County Board- you have rung the death Knell for many small bars in the area. Maybe you can replace them with some more over-priced coffee shops or indoor putting greens............... "

" Smoking is a nasty, smelly, gross habit! Have you ever kissed a smoker? Bars smell too. Have you ever smelled your clothes the next day after being at a bar? Let the smokers smoke in private! A smoking ban is long overdue! "

" I've already seen the writing on the wall up lose and first hand- Scotland and Ireland have done this - the bars are EMPTY, virtually EMPTY at the busiest times of day/night - and this was in the spring and early summer when the weather was nice and it was ok outside IF they had a little outside area that is- many of these Historic bars did not- some have now gone for good -OR maybe they are just laying back, closed for now and waiting until England passes this same nonsense and the HUGE block of London Pubowners raise Holy Hell and get it repaealed - THAT is what many of the smaller towns are counting on... or so I heard from owners and bartenders Sad isn't it? Hope Ya'all smoke Nazis are proud of yourselves - you are working hard to close small businesses here in McLean county now - I am so disgusted with the lot of you I can not even find decent words to descibe it. "

" I read the letter and it was all hearsay. Nothing scientific or comprehensive--just a friend of a friend...If you're going to make statements, you need to get a comprehensive survey going, not only at cities with new smoking bans but also cities where smoking bans have been in place for several years. If the study is scientific and covers several areas of the state and country and covers several years--using statistics such as sales, customers, taxation and adaptation--then you might have something to talk about. But your letter is only supposition and not backed by any reasonable facts. "

" I back you all the way Larry! Too bad the idiots that don't know any better are the ones in charge of making up the silly rules and laws they expect us all to live by! They have no regards to the damage it will cause financially to local bar owners such as yourself! Keep up the fight! How you run your business should ultimately be up to you and not the County Board!! After all it is your business, not theirs! "

" "Maybe" is right: And "Maybe" is already in your business, Larry. Be sure to thank "Maybe" for the advice. See how easy it is to "get people into your business." I have quite a few ideas on how you should run your business also. When you're ready, please let me know. "

" I talked to a friend of mine today that has a friend who owns a bar in Springfield. His sales are down 60% because of the smoking ban. How long do you think this guy can hang on? How long could you hang on if your income was reduced 60%? Smoke Nazis don't care...plain and simple...they just don't care ! ! ! "

" The bars will have to shape up. If you want people business you will have to offer something more. Instead of a dark stinking cave with people smoking and getting drunk. Offer more entertainment. Better beer specials, something. If you have an atmosphere people want to go to, they will come. So maybe you should stop your crying and start figuring out how to get people into your business. "

" they serve beer, drinkers has wreck, they get hurt, ambulance falls to hospital, cops gives ticket, state takes drivers lic., drunk learns to walk, drunk get heathier from exercise. "

" You've said it, Larry--one sample does not constitute a scientific study. "

" ...is coming to a theatre near you! Catchy little phrase, ain't it? One of the biggest financial contributors to anti-smoking campaigns is the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation and they contribute hundreds of millions of dollars. They are also anti-alcohol. So if smoking bans take out a few bar owners they get double their mone back. Also the RWJF is an offshoot of the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical company that sell smoking cessation products that are only 5% effective and most time are not covered by health insurance. Big pharma wants the smokers nicotine addiction...and their money! Gimme, gimme, gimme! "

" I agree with you Larry, and truly hope your business will remain profitable after the ban goes into affect. You said it right when you stated that the "regulars" are the ones that keep you financially stable. Not the liberal, "let's stop in and have a cocktail" types that just want to have the government control every move and make themselves victims over everything. Leave the bar owner alone and mind your own business! "

" You have just substantiated what many of us have been saying all along. It is the small business owner who will suffer due to government interfence on behalf of a few whining people. These non-smoking crybabies are ones who will have a glass of wine with their dinner, but will not stop off after work three or four times a week and have a couple of drinks. The latter are the ones who keep taverns in business, and they will go somewhere else. It is a shame when government dictates laws that put a small business man out of business. Maybe when enough taverns go out of business the loss of revenue to cities, counties,and eventually the state; will persuade them to revisit this issue. Afterall it is all about the loss of tax revenue which is why cigarettes are not illegal now. Good luck to you Larry and I hope your bar can weather the storm. "

" Dear Larry: " County Board members asked (Jackie) for documentation". That was their first mistake. And " Sooner rather than later the State will pass a comprehensive smoking ban..." Could be: and it will, no doubt, be based on the same documentation provided by Jackie to the County Board. It will be interesting to see if you " can accept" the next Crusade. The one Banning bars. For spreading second hand misery. This, like the smoking Ban, worked once. It can work again. Nothing succeeds like success. Except the next time, for the few who still demand proof, we'll have actual physical evidence. Other than Jackie's "Studies Show". You know, DUI's, wife beatings, disorderly conduct, family desertions, dereliction of duties. The Hysterics' list will be much longer, believe me. On the bright side, the good Lord must love the thoughtless. He certainly made a lot of them. "

" Care home beer sales up in most stores in the Springfied area. More beer is being bought and taken home. Ask some of the store owners and check out people in the area. This means that less drinking and drivng is happpening. Buy, go home, drink, pass out. Go to the bar, drink, drive, pass out, get killed. Take your pick!! "

" The new NV Lounge in Normal is smoke free. The place should be very busy with you pro-ban non-smokers. Is it? "