York County Council members were faced with a tough crowd Tuesday night: around 100 angry bar owners and customers who wanted nothing but the freedom to light a cigarette indoors. Only two were given a chance to speak during a meeting that lasted around an hour. But dozens of people flooded the lobby long before the meeting began. They include people such as Steve Lipe, whose private Rock Hill bar Ponderosa is in danger of closing after he says ... Jump to full article >>

Small business owners in Iowa are standing against the smoking ban, trying to get it overturned. It’s something many have been working for since the ban went into effect. In West Burlington, bar owner Larry Duncan spent 500 days and tens of thousands of dollars to have his day in court, which he had on Tuesday. Now a judge will hear his appeal against the state of Iowa. Duncan says it’s not about his own desire to smoke but to choose ... Jump to full article >>

The air finally is clearing in bars, restaurants and clubs, a year after a state law was enacted to ban smoking in public places. “I’m sure a lot of bars have lost business over that,” said Lola Nobilese, referring to the Pennsylvania Clean Indoor Air Act. Nobilese, who manages Mulligan’s Clubhouse Grille in Harmar, added, “There are a lot of people who say that they come because they can smoke downstairs.” &# ... Jump to full article >>