AP article helps explain the reason smoking bans do not significantly reduce smoking

Financial stress doesn't push people away from smoking. A study shows people are more likely to smoke than quit during an economic downturn.

A survey from the American Legacy Foundation found that 77 percent of current smokers are stressed by the national economy. This stress is causing some people to delay their attempt to quit smoking, and some are smoking more cigarettes than before.

That excerpt can be found in this article.

Further to note, smoking bans themselves are the cause for financial stress. In Minnesota for instance, smoking bans closed 280+ bars and restaurants eliminating 10,000+ jobs. Across the nation nearly 100,000 jobs and 2,000 bars & restaurants have been eliminated since smoking bans were enacted.

Make no mistake, the smoking bans enacted between 2001-2007 have led our nation and the world into its current economic downturn. An economic stress which leads to increased smoking rates according to the aforementioned AP story and the anti-tobacco American Legacy Foundation.

http://cleanairquality.blogspot.com/2009/03/worldwide-economic-meltdown-and.html