1.   Some companies which have introduced smoking restrictions have faced resignations over the issue, he said.

2.   And even many health advocates are wary because the proposal pre-empts local regulations, such as the smoking restrictions adopted recently in Mesa and Flagstaff.

3.   Alexander quit eight years ago after hospital smoking restrictions made it too inconvenient to light up.

4.   But he said he generally supports smoking restrictions and that the savings in health costs would ultimately offset any reduction in business.

5.   But many other employers contend smoking restrictions make good business sense.

6.   Cigarette sales in the United States have been curbed by smoking restrictions and marketing sanctions, and have been threatened by litigation.

7.   He was making the point that the new smoking restrictions would impose a greater financial hardship on minority-owned restaurants than on other segments of the industry.

8.   It was not clear how much of that increase could be attributed to the smoking restrictions, which went into effect in April.

9.   Nevertheless, continuing pressure for state and local smoking restrictions and criticism from health experts is expected to restrain domestic sales growth.

10.   Restaurant owners and hotel executives testified that smoking restrictions would cripple their businesses, ultimately forcing them to close.