I think the definition of “public place” has been perverted. A truly public place is one that is financed by tax dollars. Restaurants and bars are not really “public” places in the true sense of the word; they are private businesses into which the public is invited under certain conditions (e.g. “no shirt, no shoes, no service”; must purchase something). As such, business owners should have the right to determine whether or not to allow an otherwise legal activity on their premises. The market was working just fine on its own in meeting demand for smoke-free establishments without the government getting involved. Loss of business is incentive enough for an owner to change his policies, and any entrepreneur who can’t grasp that doesn’t deserve to be in business anyway.

I’m one of those guys that caused” no shoes no shirts no service” signs to appear. GRIN