УBusiness is not good. We already have an uneven playing field between the chain stores in our community and the local businesses downtown and on The Commons,Ф Peterson said. If Council bans smoking on The Commons, business owners Уcould stand to lose up to 20 percent of our customers, while at the same time people would be allowed to chain smoke until they drop outside every big box store in Ithaca.Ф Alderman Dan Cogan, D-5th, referenced the potential negative impact on Commons bars and restaurants to explain why he favors a partial ban and would oppose a blanket ban on The Commons. Zumoff said he thinks, on the contrary, more people would come to The Commons if they knew they wouldn’t Уbe bothered with buy cheap camel smoke.Ф Schiele, the tobacco-free coordinator, favors a partial smoking ban on The Commons and a total ban during any event where organizers need to get a permit to gather. In addition to protecting non-smokers from second-hand smoke and minimizing examples of smoking that children see, Schiele Ч a former smoker Ч said a smoking ban could help smokers quit. According to a 2006 survey of Tompkins County adults, half of those who currently smoke want to quit, Schiele said. УI still smell discount camel smoke and if it’s at the right concentration, I say, Сboy that smells good,’Ф he said. УFor the smokers who want to quit, this is one thing we can do to help them, is try to get it out of their face.Ф