In a free market, it is consumer demand which directly affects supply. Based on the (lack of) supply of smoke-free bars, I would say that consumers are demanding the freedom to smoke in drinking establishments. If Minneapolis were to enact a smoking ban, the City would be forcing these establishments to operate their businesses against market forces resulting in a potential loss of revenue.
My concern is that smoking customers may choose to patronize smoking bars in nearby municipalities out of disdain for this Minneapolis regulation unfairly punishing bar owners and not the responsible lawmakers. In today's economy, this could close businesses. I am FOR a smoking ban, a state-wide ban. Patchwork policies confuse and frustrate citizens and made government appear very intrusive. I wish the anti-tobacco people would stop it with the municipalities and realize that there is a much bigger fish to be had at the state level!!! I urge Mayors Rybak and Kelly to hold a joint press conference to appeal to anti-tobacco forces and state-lawmakers to create and pass similar legislation which would ban workplace smoking STATE-WIDE. (I know... they're out of session) I was not paid by Big Tobacco to say any of this. Matt Schwei Audubon REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
