Although such prohibitions are becoming more common, generalizations can't be made about their impact because they still are too new and too few. Scrutiny of the ban in Maryville, Mo., shows that the issues remain hazy.

An annual survey on the price of a hamburger in countries around the globe provides a surprisingly meaty lesson about relative currency valuations.

Although this deficit has been rising steadily since the early 1990s, a "hard landing" for the U.S. economy is unlikely. One reason is that only in the United States can so many foreigners invest so much money and get such good returns.

When smoking bans were debated in the past, the economic costs were seldom considered. But that's changing, as studies reveal the costs being paid by bars, restaurants and casinos, as well as by employees of these establishments.