The majority of the state Legislature in New York is opposed to a relaxation of the smoking ban, according to one of its members.
Sheldon Silver said that he felt that the law worked well in its current form, commenting that it struck a "fair balance" to protect the public health against the "overwhelming" evidence of the dangers of second-hand smoke.
Bar owners have been seeking to amend the law to permit smoking in venues that install special ventilation systems.
Silver denied that the ban has led to a significant drop in takings since the ban.
Scott Wexler, the head of the Empire State Restaurant and Tavern Association, replied: "We believe the customers have free will, and that the economic hardships bars are having demonstrates there is some need for flexibility here."
