We've been seeing negative fallout from smoking bans for a while. The loss of business to bars and restaurants is well-documented, and now we are beginning to see people lose their jobs as a result.

"A new report shows a big jump in jobless insurance claims by Nevada food service workers following voter approval in November of a higher minimum wage and a smoking ban in bars and restaurants and other locations."

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AUSTIN – The House all but stubbed out a statewide ban on smoking in public buildings Monday, passing severely weakened legislation that allows property owners to exempt themselves – even in cities with bans in place.

The changes render the legislation meaningless and threaten to unravel city bans, though it's unlikely those changes will survive a conference committee – if it gets that far.

The ban passed 91-48, after a two-day clash between anti-smoking activists and local-control and property-rights supporters. The fight finally ended in an 11th hour agreement by the bill's author to just get the bill passed, in any form, before a constitutional deadline kills it later this week.

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Illinois - A day after the Illinois House gave final approval to a ban on smoking in bars, restaurants and other public workplaces — a measure likely to be signed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich and take effect Jan. 1 — O’Neal and other Illinois smokers by Wednesday already were weighing their next moves.

Will they still frequent their favorite eateries, pubs, casinos and bingo hangouts once they go smoke-free, staving off their immediate urge for a cigarette or stogie while doing so? Will they take their business to neighboring states where they can smoke without hassle? Or will they just stay home?

At the Knights of Columbus hall an easy drive across the Mississippi from St. Louis, O’Neal suspected her twice-a-week bingo fix that costs her about $300 a week will be history if she can’t puff while she plays.

"I’ll probably end up staying home," the East St. Louis woman said. During these extended bingo stays, "I couldn’t last three or four hours without a cigarette."

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