Stop your hacking and get back to my Manhattan

Did you ever stop to think: every second that a bartender must take to blow a runny nose or clear a scratchy throat is a second during which he or she is not making drinks for us.

That's why opponents of the proposed DC smoking ban should take a good look at the results of a new study showing a reduction in second-hand smoking symptoms among New York's bar and restaurant workers since that state's smoking ban took effect in 2003. (Newsday)