NIGHT LIFE RISES FROM ASHES OF SMOKING BAN

Publication Date: 2005-05-02

• Author:KENNETH LOVETT and PERRY CHIARAMONTE
• Publication:New York Post

The Big Apple's night life is still thriving, despite predictions it would go up in smoke because of the ban on butts, a new state study shows.

The first-time study by the state Department of Taxation and Finance — a copy of which was obtained by The Post — shows that while tavern business in the city dipped the first six months after the smoking ban went into effect in March 2003, it has been rebounding steadily since.

The study, which for the first time separated out the sales at bars from restaurants, also showed the smoking ban had even less of an initial impact on restaurants, where business has grown at a faster rate than at watering holes.