Is this coming soon to the USA?:

Dutch smoking ban goes into force
A tobacco smoking ban has come into effect in cafes, bars and restaurants in the Netherlands.

The country is following a growing trend across Europe and the world of bans on smoking in public places.

Pro-smoking lobbyists say the ban will lead to a drop in business, but others say any losses will be made up by non-smokers going out more.

Patrons of cannabis cafes will still be allowed to smoke marijuana as long as it is not mixed with tobacco.

Possession of cannabis is illegal in the Netherlands, but holders of small amounts are not prosecuted. Smoking cannabis is permitted in licensed cafes.

Rotterdam cinema handed out free cigarettes on Monday night, hours before the ban came into force on Tuesday.

One hospitality industry forecast said there has been an increase in the number of businesses up for sale ahead of the ban, as owners anticipated slower business because of smokers staying away from restaurants, cafes and bars.

But other studies suggested that their numbers would be replaced by non-smokers going out more to enjoy a night out in a cleaner environment.

Any businesses caught allowing customers to smoke would be warned and repeat offenders would face escalating fines, Chris Krikken, a spokesman for the Food and Wares Authority charged with enforcing the ban, told the Associated Press.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/7482571.stm

Published: 2008/07/01 01:09:24 GMT

© BBC MMVIII

The best line of the whole story: "Patrons of cannabis cafes will still be allowed to smoke marijuana as long as it is not mixed with tobacco."

I love it. Which one's the "evil weed"? I won't say marijuana is good for you but I don't recall ever hearing of one death being directly attributable to marijuana smoking.

The obligatory "business will suffer" line is quoted and is being dutifully rebutted/ignored. If anybody wants to debate whether or not this is a factor that should be given consideration, make your case and I will be happy to share my thoughts on why it should not be.

I do wonder why there can't be such a thing as a tobacco cafe (since they have Marijuana cafes) but maybe there will be (though there is no mention of such and I would think there would be if there was going to be).

The answer I have taken to giving when people complain that their "right" to smoke is being taken away is "sorry but you never had the right to smoke up my/everybody's air, you just thought you did". Or, another way, "yes we do mind if you smoke" (not that most smokers ask, I know I never did).

To my still smoking friends who are reading this: please quit already, you know you want to.