Last year’s smoking ban wasn’t the last assault against those modern day lepers known as smokers.
The Texas House passed a $1/pack tax increase today to offset the property tax cuts. Of course, the Senate will have to approve it as well, but if they do, that’s a 60% increase on what you’re currently paying. Those trips to the Gas N Sip for smokes and a refuel are getting more and more painful.
Texas Music Matters has a follow-up on the effects of the nearly 9-month-old smoking ban. The report cites mixed results with at least one bar claiming not to have seen much of a difference. The consensus seems to be that it’s not affecting the Fridays or Saturdays or nights with big draw bands, but may be contributing to slower nights during the week and forcing some club owners to shut down on weeknights that were already slow and have become economically unfeasible since the ban.
At least Lovejoy’s is still open although I do believe that ownership changed hands.