Empty tables, grumpy customers, and worried owners were the common picture in nightclubs and bars during the first weekend of the full smoking ban in public spaces in Bulgaria.
According to the Cross news agency, lines of people smoking outside were seen near some of the most popular establishments in the capital Sofia with some of them having no more than 7-8 visitors inside during what was previously known as their peak hours.
"If this remains the same, we will soon go bankrupt," terrified owners are quoted saying.
...Many establishments in the Black Sea city of Burgas have stayed closed over the weekend over the lack of customers. Some of the most popular ones that remained open had only one visit in 12 hours while in others the staff, left without anything to do, organized karaoke parties for themselves.
Coming soon: A peer-reviewed study in Tobacco Control shows that the Bulgarian smoking ban has been a roaring success with nonsmokers flocking to bars in their millions.
... While the Denormalised smokers outside get a good beating by extremists with Tobacco Control Industry blessing. All going to plan.
ReplyDeleteA peer-reviewed study in Tobacco Control shows that the Bulgarian smoking ban has been a roaring success with nonsmokers flocking to bars in their millions.
ReplyDelete......and smokers are absolutely ecstatic about the ban and having to stand outside (and they are so looking forward to winter when they can stand in the rain and snow), and, having a great influx of cash, business owners are buying the latest model Merc and booking their holidays to the French Riviera. Win, win, win..... WINNING. How can we thank the Tobacco Control Industry enough!
Signed Stantonitis Glands, Make Believe Economist
Here's some ammunition that you'll doubtless find useful some day when the bansturbators try to stop us salting our tatties.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/03/opinion/sunday/we-only-think-we-know-the-truth-about-salt.html?pagewanted=1&_r=3&smid=pl-share
Anybody wanna guess the EU somehow managed to coerce the bulgarian government into this ban or did they just use the same old threat,no bailout funds from the WORLD BANK or IMF unless you do!
ReplyDeleteI hope the EU collapses very very soon! Its the quickest hope to the bans being repealed.
Great post, great blog (just discovered while randomly surfing for interesting, non-pc news...
ReplyDeleteIntro over...
Having just come back from a most enjoyable (and WARM and SUNNY) hol in Russia, I am delighted to inform your readers that smoking is alive and well in the (ex) capital of communism.
I cannot begin to describe what a treat it is to see dozens of clean ashtrays neatly displayed on tables in bars and eateries throughout Moscow.
I am sure that the irony of the "lands of the free and brave" banning the evil weed, whilst the erstwhile evil empire happily countenances its use will not escape your readers!
Toodle pip!!