Your facts are wrong

Post #244,947

2/16/06 11:30:19 AM

I apologise for the 'good idea' comment though..

I did explicitly include the caveat that the level of demand might not be high enoug. I didn't say that could always be met.

However, down here smoking and non-smoking places coexist profitably quite nicely in a conservative place where traditional expectations are common, so your assertion is wrong. And it IS an assertion.

Imric's Tips for Living

Paranoia Is a Survival Trait
Pessimists are never disappointed - but sometimes, if they are very lucky, they can be pleasantly surprised...
Even though everyone is out to get you, it doesn't matter unless you let them win.

Nothing is as simple as it seems in the beginning,
As hopeless as it seems in the middle,
Or as finished as it seems in the end.

Post #244,961

by ben_tilly

2/16/06 11:51:15 AM

Your example does not refute the assertion

Some public goods can be privately provisioned. Some cannot.

Incidentally I am wondering how long Georgia has had smoking and nonsmoking bars. Because [link|http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/0505/05smokingsigned.html|the non-smoking bars may not have a choice]. By law, if you have a bar at a restaurant that allows minors, you can't have smoking. You either have to give up the restaurant or give up smoking. Which is a very different economic proposition than deciding to go non-smoking because you hope to attract non-smokers.

BTW I note that this ban had strong public support. I also note that the article I linked to shows another incentive against a restaurant implementing a non-smoking policy on its own - which is the unpleasantness of having to confront smokers about their violating the policy. If there is a ban you can just say, "Sorry, it's the law." And you'll get far less argument than if you say, "Sorry, it's management policy." (Public confrontations with customers are, of course, generally bad for business...)

Cheers,
Ben

I have come to believe that idealism without discipline is a quick road to disaster, while discipline without idealism is pointless. -- Aaron Ward (my brother)

Post #244,966

by imric

2/16/06 11:58:13 AM

Never said that minors should be exposed.

And there was a 'stink' about it (sorry, couldn't resist) when it went into effect. One of the most vocal opponents I personally talked to was a waitress who didn't smoke at a restaurant that served minors.

It's a reasonable law, that respects smokers, non-smokers, and those without a choice. Just like I'm sure there would be a 'stink' if my suggestion of higher cost licensing for smoking clubs went into place.

It's the flat-out bans that get my goat, so to speak.

Imric's Tips for Living

Paranoia Is a Survival Trait
Pessimists are never disappointed - but sometimes, if they are very lucky, they can be pleasantly surprised...
Even though everyone is out to get you, it doesn't matter unless you let them win.

Nothing is as simple as it seems in the beginning,
As hopeless as it seems in the middle,
Or as finished as it seems in the end.

Post #244,987

by ben_tilly

2/16/06 1:35:59 PM

It sounds like a reasonable compromise to me as well

I have come to believe that idealism without discipline is a quick road to disaster, while discipline without idealism is pointless. -- Aaron Ward (my brother)

Welcome to IWETHEY!