If Idaho lawmakers want to take another run at extending that state’s indoor smoking ban – and they should – they ought to take a look at the state of Washington’s progress report. For the first 18 months, the effect on business has been minimal despite warnings that taverns and bowling alleys would be wiped out.

Just as studies in other states have shown, businesses may have taken a short-term hit but most of them adapted and recovered. The hardest hit sector was cardrooms and mini-casinos, which saw a 10 percent decline in gross revenues, according to the state Department of Revenue. But while gambling revenue was down, food and drink sales saw above-average growth compared with the previous four years.

Some bars lost regular customers, but they were replaced by new customers drawn to a smoke-free environment. Plus, some of the regulars returned after the anger subsided and they faced up to the lack of alternatives.

Meanwhile, restaurants saw sales rise slightly above the previous four-year average. About 20 percent of restaurants allowed smoking before the ban.

Three years ago, Idaho got out ahead of Washington state by banning smoking in restaurants, but the ban did not extend to bowling alleys and bars. Last year, the Idaho Legislature passed a bill that would have removed the bowling alley exemption, but Gov. Butch Otter vetoed it. Bowling alleys continue to be the only place where youths (under 21) and smoking are allowed to mix.

At the time of the veto, Otter called the ban an unreasonable property rights restriction. Some lawmakers concurred, saying that owners should be allowed to run their businesses as they see fit. But this remains a public health issue, because of the exposure of customers and workers to secondhand smoke. Bars and bowling alleys cannot choose to ignore other state health standards based on property rights, so they shouldn’t be exempt from this one either. The bowling industry didn’t even challenge the bill.

Even Montana, with its conservative politics and respect for property rights, has instituted a smoking ban in taverns that begins in October 2009.

It’s time for Idaho to snuff out the last ember of hope for a dying cause. Ban all indoor smoking in public places.