Mills, left, meets with bar owners

About a dozen bar owners stood with Assemblyman Howard Mills yesterday to lend their support to his proposal to allow bars and restaurants that have liquor licenses to pay an extra $100 for a smoking permit. That would let patrons puff away and would also provide economic relief to barkeeps who say the state law banning smoking in restaurants, bars and other public places, is killing their business.

The tavern owners gathered with Mills at Maureen Mullany's Pub in downtown Goshen yesterday.

Mills, who is a nonsmoker and acknowledges smoking is unhealthy, said government has no right to impose restrictions like this on business.

“I believe this bill will accommodate smokers and nonsmokers, will enable people who do not want to be subjected to the second hand smoke to make their choices, enable people who want to work in the restaurant or tavern industry who do not mind being in a smoking establishment to go back to work in smoking establishments,” he said. “Many people have been hurt by this bill.” He said bar owners have seen decreases in their business, the state has been hurt by a decrease in sales tax revenue and a “dramatic decrease” in Quick Draw receipts,”

Brian Butler is vice president of the Orange County Restaurant and Tavern Owners Association and owner of the Golden Rail in Newburgh . He said the smoking ban is killing his business. He said his July sales were down five percent, August was down 15 percent, September was down by 25 percent and October, by 20 percent. And that is an indication of what it is across the board.

The owners said because of the close proximity to New Jersey and Pennsylvania , they are losing business to those states, which don't have smoking bans.