To the editor:
I have been reading the stories in the Journal-World about businesses closing or suffering due to the smoking ban in Lawrence. When I read of the amounts of money lost by local establishments, I asked myself why a story hasn't been done about the sudden increase in business recorded by establishments outside of Lawrence that allow smoking? All that money is going somewhere. Or maybe the smokers are all cooking at home instead of going out, in which case, it would seem that our local grocers would see an increase in revenue.
I quit smoking almost five years ago. It never stopped me from going out to eat or having a beer. In fact, I go out more now than ever because the haze of smoke has been lifted. My wife and I are often put off when we walk into an establishment that allows smoking because we have gotten so used to being able to breathe in Lawrence.
You don't have to smoke or sit in a room full of smoke to have a good time. I have seen the story about the veteran who wants to smoke and drink with his buddies, and that's fine. But, I would ask, is that really what he fought and served for? I am a veteran too and I didn't serve to protect the right to smoke.
Thank you, Lawrence, for banning indoor smoking! My entertainment dollars are staying in Lawrence.
Henry Johns,
Lawrence
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