And more proof smoking bans hurt, not help business.

More evidence that these anti-tobacco freaks are nothing but snoops.

And more evidence that there's still smoking going on in California bars. Yeah, nice ban. ROFL

story

SAN CARLOS --
San Carlos was, in 1993, one of the first local communities to have no-smoking regulations at places of employment. The following year, California legislators enacted a law to prohibit smoking at workplaces. However, there are exceptions. Cities have ordinances exempting businesses that are completely owner-operated and have no employees. Now, San Mateo County officials want the San Carlos City Council to amend its ordinance to close the exemption.

Davis is part owner of the Orchid Room in San Carlos, the only bar in the city claiming the loophole. She filed paperwork, making every employee a-5 percent owner of the bar.

However, the exemption is a disadvantage for other businesses that have prohibited smoking altogether, said Supervisor Jerry Hill. He believes that sometimes businesses have not been completely honest when they operate under the exemption.

"There have been abuses throughout the state," Hill said.

According to San Carlos, the Police Department has investigated the Orchid Room and says it is still in compliance and that it still has no apparent employees.

Davis argues that other bars can operate under the loophole as well.
"We don't advertise," Davis said. "This is for people who know about it."