Like paper in fire: effort to stop smoking ban thwarted

Last weekend to puff away inside your favorite dive

The movement to stop the Minneapolis, Bloomington and Hennepin County smoking bans likely gasped its last breath this afternoon, after Hennepin County District Court Judge John Q. McShane denied a request by six bars and private clubs to halt the ban.

"Basically, we weren't even close," e-mails one prominent bar owner in Minneapolis who is opposed to the ban, ruling out the likelihood of an appeal. "I think we are dead in the water."

It was the culmination of what proved to be a frustrating reality for a growing number of bar, club and restaurant owners: The ban was fait accompli from day one. 

Read the rest of "Ban" here.