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I would think that unless you're right next to a smoker and inhaling the smoke from that smoker, the effects of outdoor second-hand smoke are negligible compared to car pollution, air pollution, etc.
Apparently the ban in CA has worked well, though I've heard a lot of griping about the one in NYC.
Maryland's setup is interesting--most restaurants I've been to there are non-smoking, but you can smoke in the bar (if they have one), which in many cases is completely separated from the restaurant.
I understand that many people don't like smoke, and many know of the risks of SHS. But I do think that some of the persecution of smokers has gone a bit too far--especially the tax increases.
And what really pissed me off about the tax increase here in PA last year is that they stressed how it was "to protect children" when it was really more about helping to reduce the budget deficit.
If you keep increasing the cost of cigarettes and limiting their use, all you're going to do in the end is encourage crime. It'll become like Prohibition.
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