Although the Senate defections appeared to have doomed the repeal effort - at least for now - both sides turned up the political heat.

But so far, no repeal effort of an outdoor smoking ban has succeeded.

The repeal effort is supported by the telephone companies, unions and consumer organizations.

Christian groups that backed the measure said they would push repeal efforts in other cities with similar policies.

They cited these plans yesterday as evidence that the repeal effort was not a job-saving measure.

The repeal effort made former political friends into political enemies.

The Democrats began the repeal effort after their overwhelming defeat in the November election.

Even before the members' votes, it was evident that the repeal effort would fail.

The ostensible purpose of the coalition was to do research to determine whether a repeal effort should be mounted in 2010 or 2012.

Supporters regrouped in the last 18 months, and say they are prepared to fight a repeal effort.