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Public smoking was banned in Alberta 2 years ago, which is when I started singing karaoke. I am severely alergic to tobacco smoke and avoided bars my entire life. Now I go to bars at least twice a week. The short term effect of the ban was a loud outcry by businesses claiming it would hurt their business. The long term effect is that it has had no effect on business. Smokers go outside to smoke, even in horrible weather, and they do not complain. It's always a hi and a smile as I pass them on the way inside. People like me who avoided bars, now do not, which offsets any reduction of business by smokers not going as often or staying as long (if this happens; I don't know). The only downside to business during the switchover was caused by the gvt itself making short-term concessions to the most vocal businesses. As to casinos, there is a native run casino near my house. I went there once to check it out, but have never returned because of the smoke. I frequent others in town where smoking is banned. They are all doing good business.
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