Clouded judgement on smoking issues?

A Daily News opinion piece today takes on Mayor John Street's apparent backing-off from the proposed smoking ban (see recent story here).

Unfortunately, much of the information he received on his recent tour of area bars and restaurants, sponsored by the lobbying group opposing a smoke-free workplace, came from individuals and establishments who oppose clean indoor air legislation and was either misleading or incorrect. While some of the compromises and exemptions discussed in an article covering these visits may seem reasonable at first glance, there is a reason most cities that have considered ideas like ventilation systems have rejected them.

Some pretty credible sources are cited here for their technology point and for the experience in other big cities that smoking bans did no financial harm to businesses.