One problem was that the health department was loath to enforce the law. I would follow up on complaints by visiting the establishments who were not in compliance with the law, and when necessary file complaints with ASH about the health department's failure to enforce the law. As I rose in corporate circles, I started actively educating management about the costs associated with employees who smoke. Those costs are substantial, and as self funded medical insurance became much more common the incentive to control the costs associated with employees who smoke became much greater. I have used a host of tactics to force restaurants, especially chains like Elias Big Boy and Burger King, both of whom were especially obstinate, to comply with the law.
Restaurant managers hate to see groups of half a dozen to a dozen people walk out.
For me the issue of being able to enjoy a breath of air which is not polluted, has been a twenty plus year fight, similar to what it takes to prevail as an inventor over those who believe they can take our inventions with no compensation. And it is clear that we are well on our way to winning the battle over second hand smoke. It is my belief that smoking should be confined to consenting adults in private. Not one should have a right to expose children, theirs or others, or any other adult to second hand smoke. A battle which has not gone so well is exploration of space.