JUNEAU - Bar owners in Juneau say the city's new smoking ban is ruining their businesses.

They spoke Monday night at the Juneau Assembly meeting. The Assembly is considering a rewrite of the smoking ordinance.

The ordinance was rewritten to close loopholes allowing some private clubs to escape enforcement. Forty people signed up to testify and several spoke in favor of the ban as proposed.

But bar owners say the ordinance is costing them and their employees a viable living.

Bar owner Jack Tripp says he's laid off four employees since the portion of the law governing bars went into effect Jan. 2.