High density lipoproteins, or HDL's, are good for you. They are produced by the liver to carry cholesterol and other lipids (fats) from tissues and organs back to the liver for recycling or degradation. Having high levels of HDL lowers the incidence of atherosclerosis (clooged arteries) and heart disease.

The ways in which you can increase the HDL levels are:

1. Moderate exercise (about 30 minutes five times a week) not only reduces LDL cholesterol, it also can raise HDL cholesterol, too.
2. Smoking can lower HDL levels, in addition to disturbing other aspects of your lipid profile. This appears to affect women more than it does men.
3. Eat healthy by including lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean sources of protein in your diet. Also be sure to include monounsaturated fats in your diet.
4. Moderate consumption of alcohol may also positively impact HDL levels.

When you list the serious problems facing the restaurant industry, the subject of smoking is right up there with the big ones. Story from owners who have tried a no smoking policy, only to cave-in after numerous complaints from their "smoking" customers. And in all due respect, smokers can be excellent customers, and some people find it impossible to enjoy a drink without a cigarette in their hand (and unfortunately, there are even some people who can't eat without a cigarette in their hand). And it's certainly not easy to ask a customer paying two or three hundred dollars for dinner to stand outside while enjoying a smoke.

In the meantime, we  problem could work through  with so-called "non-smoking areas" where somehow the smoke magically disappears and remains totally confined to that area. And we only permit smoking in the bar areas, and we prohibit pipes and cigars.