Iowa chalks up a year of a partial smoking ban and guess what? The state's tavern and restaurant industry hasn't tanked.

At the same time, the famously exempt casinos haven't flourished.

In short, smoking truly cannot be linked to a single business's success or failure.

Iowa reports 1,015 violation notices sent in response to smoking complaints. Just over half were to bars and restaurants. The Iowa Department of Public Health reports that 79 percent of first-time offenders did not have a repeat complaint.

We've urged leniency for those offenders for two reasons. First, enforcement uncomfortably fell hardest on tavern and restaurant owners who feared the worst from the ban. Second, the ban is, was and continues to be phony and unfair. As long as casinos remain exemptions, Iowa lawmakers reveal themselves to be concerned about cash first and Iowans' health second.

Our belief is reinforced by casino figures which show no measurable impact from the legislature's generous exemption. In fact, the Isle of Capri Bettendorf reported revenue down 19 percent this May over last, despite completion of a new hotel and taxpayer-owned events center.

That leaves the distinct impression that the only thing we can imagine standing between Iowa and a real, statewide public smoking ban are the casino campaign contributions to elected officials.