County 'won't grieve' if ban runs smokers off

Editor:

Re the proposed smoking ban:

Many of the arguments I've heard against this ban are from people who believe it would harm businesses in Columbia County because smokers will go to Richmond County establishments. This may, indeed, be an accurate prediction.

Hmmm; let me see: All the smokers will frequent Richmond County restaurants and bars and leave Columbia County to the non-smokers. And that would be a bad thing? I see absolutely nothing negative about that idea. In fact, it seems very positive to me.

But will businesses in Columbia County truly suffer from smokers defecting? I would be willing to bet that many non-smokers from surrounding counties, such as Richmond and McDuffie counties, will defect to Columbia County establishments in order to breathe unpolluted air. I, for one, will make a decided effort to only go to Columbia County restaurants if this ban is passed.

In fact, judging from the current size of smoking sections in area restaurants, there are much more non-smokers than smokers in any given area.

How many of us non-smokers wouldn't make the effort to cross county lines in order to be able to enjoy our meals for once? It is my opinion that not only will Columbia County establishments not lose business, but they will, in fact, increase their business if this ban is passed.

So, go ahead smokers. Defect. Columbia County will not grieve your loss.

Rebecca Bresnahan

Martinez