With sales off about 30 percent since a citywide smoking ban took effect, a Lawrence bar has called it quits.

Bubba’s, 2228 Iowa, shut down in early August, about one month after the city banned smoking in bars, restaurants and other public places. Owner Bruce Gentry said the July 1 ban was one of several factors in his decision to close the 2-year-old establishment.

“It wasn’t the only reason I closed, but it didn’t help at all,” Gentry said. “Lawrence is a tough market, and the ban made it tougher.”

Other bars also are reporting sales declines, said Philip Bradley, executive director of the Kansas Licensed Beverage Assn., which is based in Lawrence. The association is polling about 40 Lawrence bars and restaurants to find out how July sales compared with the same period a year ago.

Thus far, Bradley said businesses were reporting sales down between 15 percent and 35 percent. Some have reported slight increases in sales on their patios.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if we see some more closings, but I hope not,” he said.

Despite the business losses, Gentry said he did not expect the ban to be overturned.

“The majority of people who smoke are probably less likely to vote,” Gentry said. “I don’t even think they are going to get enough names on the petition to put it to a vote.”

An area group, the Appeal to Reason Tolerance Coalition, is working to gather the signatures of at least 3,764 registered Lawrence voters to force the issue to a citywide vote, probably in February.

Bradley, who is working with the coalition, said he was confident that enough signatures would be gathered to force a vote.

“We may already have enough signatures, but we’re looking to build up a cushion,” he said.

Not all businesses are reporting declines since the ban took effect. Some restaurants that voluntarily banned smoking before July 1 have reported business increases, possibly because the city ordinance leveled the playing field.

Other entertainment-oriented businesses also have reported an uptick.

Mary Sexton, a manager at Lawrence’s Royal Crest Lanes, said revenues have increased, although precise totals weren’t available.

“We have heard from people who say it is great to be able to come in and not have to deal with the smoke,” Sexton said.

But Sexton said the business still was taking a wait-and-see approach because it hadn’t determined whether the ban would hurt its important league business, which begins in the next few weeks.