I'm in total agreement, Hannah: support your dive bars, folks!

One bit of good news: Al's in Wallingford is doing okay so far. Vague secondhand accounts indicate bars in the U District and Wallingford area are doing okay so far. I'll keep my eyes open for the status of other bars following the holiday season.

As a non-smoker who supported the ban from the start, I admit I was apprehensive about it in regard to its impact on the city's blue collar watering holes. However, I must say it's been a major relief patronizing smoke-free dives, so much so that I've been out drinking at my favorite North End dives more often since the ban. Leny's, Al's and Moon Temple have all been pleasantly non-eye-and-nostril burning. Not to mention I've done less laundry since the ban went into effect.
So, yes, do as Hannah says, support those dives! They are, above all else, DRINKING establishments, not smoking establishments.

I'm not so sure I buy this argument that the smoking ban is the cause for slow business. What? Are alcoholics now staying home? I think in order for this argument to hold water one has to assume that the reason people aren't going to bars is because they are going elswhere to smoke and drink. If that's true, I'd like to know where?

Yes, *, many smokers would rather buy some liquor at the liquor store and hang out at home, where most are allowed to smoke, than to go to a place where they must go out in the 30 degree cold in order to smoke.

If your need further clarification, let me know.

So you are telling me that are tough enough to injest cancer-causing agents, but not tough enough to bundle up for a 5 minute smoke break?

What a bunch of pussies.

boo f-ing hoo! smokers can cry me a river, then float on past smoking their cigs.

this argument has no validity. the facts are: post smoking ban, cigarette smoking goes down, and bars recover within a few months as everyone gets used to it.

oh yeah, and less lung cancer in the future for wait staff.

i'll take that trade off anyday!

maybe if these bars really want the non smoking business, they should wash the years of toxic chemicals that have been added to cigs for years off their walls so that they smell and "feel" cleaner.

if they can't manage that....screw 'em.

HMA: Either you didn't read my original post or you lack basic reasoning skills. I wasn't talking about smokers; I was talking about people who work in a certain type of bar taking a hit in holiday income. It may be a temporary hit, but it's a hit, nonetheless and it has ZERO to do with whether you are for or against the ban. Try reading before commenting.

*, you're more than welcome, every hour on the hour, or half hour, to get up, walk outside and spend a few minutes in the cold. Do you consider that fun, relaxing and enjoyable?

It's not a case of being a pussy, it's a case of having a choice between going out and dealing with the hassle, or staying home and not dealing with the hassle. Therein lies the rub, and the concern of possible lost business.

And as Hannah stated to the other poster, you're clearly missing the point of her post. BACK ON TOPIC! We've had this discussion at length already.