I ran the Golem, an 80-seat folk club in Montreal in the 1970s and '80s. Montreal is probably the smoking capital of North America.

In the early-1980s I decided to ban smoking in the club. Attendance went up noticably. Many non-smokers who used to come out occasionally started coming more often. There were only a couple of complaints from smokers who had to go out in the breaks and scores of bravos from non-smokers (including myself) who found the club much more enjoyable.

Most music venues in Montreal are still smoking places. I have to REALLY want to see the performer to get me to go. It's much easier to get me out to a non-smoking gig.

Mike Regenstreif