Of considerable concern is the issue of whether banning smoking from a restaurant or bar will hurt business. Here are some attempts to answer that question, and we believe the answers favor the non-smoker.

• Smoke-Free Bars Still Successful
  June 1998 sales tax receipts indicate bar business is doing well in California after going smoke-free.
• Going smoke-free has not hurt restaurant sales in North Carolina.
  Tax data show that even in the number one tobacco-producing state in the US, smoke-free ordinances have no adverse economic impact.
  (from an article previously found on the North Carolina Medical Journal's web site)
• Letter from San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce
  In 1990, San Luis Obispo, California became the first city in the world to ban smoking in all public buildings including bars and restaurants. Since then, the number of eating and drinking establishments in the city have grown, taxable transactions from eating and drinking establishments have eclipsed statewide levels, the number of tourists to the city has grown exponentially, and the occupancy tax collected by the city is at a record high.
• Study of Smoking Ban in Restaurants
  Research finds that New York City's smoking ban has not hurt business.
• Critique of Dunham and Marlow studies
  Analysis of the Dunham and Marlow "studies" commissioned by Philip Morris that claim to show that going smoke-free hurts business.

Need more? All these were found on AnsMe.com. Click here.

Last updated 20020629. MASFA.