Since the right of the business owner to choose an either smoking or nonsmoking environment for his place of business is denied by both anti-tobacco cartel and state (often one and the same), it is important that smokers do not patronize hospitality establishments where smoking is forbidden, and that includes restaurants and pubs. It is important to keep this up: the government is counting on the fact that you will get tired, and you'll "get used to" the the unreasonable restrictions imposed on you. You must be prepared to keep the boycott up indefinitely. The message that economic devastation is the consequence of smoking bans must be steady, loud, and clear. Smokers have an immense economic power, more than sufficient to defeat anti-tobacco. It is time to put that power to work.

It is sad that hospitality industry operators have become the unwilling battleground between fascism and freedom, and we feel very sorry for them all. But certainly, they cannot blame us for having started it.

• If the hospitality industry in your area is fighting a smoking ban, actively support it by letter, phone, and in person, and let them know that you will continue to do so for as long as they will defend your rights. But they also have to understand that you will be forced to change your attitude in case of defeat.
• If your municipality is close to another municipality that allows smoking in restaurants and pubs, go where you can smoke even if it means walking or driving.
• If the local or state government forbids smoking in hospitality outlets, refrain from using the hospitality industry as much as possible. You will be surprised how much money you will save by cooking your own food, or, in emergency, buying it from a take-out and consuming it at home. By the same token, a six-pack consumed at home with friends while watching the game is surprisingly much more enjoyable than in a pub with noise, confusion, and smoking prohibition to boot. And nothing beats an elegant dinner party that starts off with cocktails, cigarettes, and a selection of everyone's favorite music on the stereo. Let's use smoking prohibition as an excuse to revive the pleasures of private social life that are too often neglected in our busy culture. Turn your home into an occasional "smoke-easy" and encourage your friends to return the favor! How about a "Prohibition-era" theme party...?

  Also, remember that fewer sales for the hospitality industry means less tax revenue for the government that is infringing on your rights, and on the rights of the hospitality industry. If it feels the effects of this loss, the state will be forced to raise other taxes. This will contribute to a decrease in the popularity of the sitting government, and politicians are very sensitive to that.

• If an establishment has decided to ignore the totalitarian anti-smoking laws, and it accommodates smokers, let us remember that it takes courage to do so. Absurd penalties are often imposed on operators for this kind of "offense" -- as absurd and unfair as the anti-smoking laws themselves. Praise the owner(s), keep patronizing the local, refer it to your smoking friends. If the owner is hit by the health police, it would be a good idea to promote the idea of pooling the money for the fine with other smoking patrons as a sign of appreciation for the establishment's courage to stand up for freedom.

  In areas where smoking bans are enforced, practicing and encouraging civil disobedience is essential.

• For those who have some time available, some active action would not hurt. For example, here is a tested method that puts the pressure on. Call a restaurant, hotel, pub, etc. that you know does not allow smoking. Say that you have a large party of people, and that their establishment has been chosen. Discuss the details. Last request: "we want the smoking section, please." At the negative answer, just tell them to forget the whole thing. If they say that they cannot oblige because of municipal ordinance or state law, then ask if they are willing to accommodate you, anyway. The answer will be no, especially on the phone, for fear of a fishing expedition by the anti-tobacco cartel. Thus, "no deal, thanks."

Finally, in cases where you are are properly accommodated as a smoker, tip well and make it clear that you have done so because you were welcomed as a smoking customer.