Going smoke-free will not hurt businesses or sales. Studies across the country, from New York City to cities in the Southeastern Conference, show that having a comprehensive smoke-free policy in restaurants and bars can actually increase sales anywhere from 8 to 25 percent.
Estimating the economic impact of a smoke-free policy on tax collections
University of Arkansas, Sam M. Walton College of Business
Download the Research – University of Arkansas Economic Impact of Smoke-free Policies
The University of Arkansas studied data from six cities that have some form of a smoke-free policy. Data was obtained [when available] from 2000 through 2009. This provided numbers that included at least three years of being a smoking establishment as well as three years of being a nonsmoking establishment. Several variable factors were controlled to normalize the data.
The results of the analysis when controlling for differences between cities that enacted smoke-free policies and those that did not: The impact of an overall city smoke-free policy on taxable sales was positive and significant. Cities in the Southeastern Conference that implemented comprehensive smoke-free policies in restaurants had an average 18 percent increase in sales tax revenues, relative to those that did not. Cities in the Southeastern Conference that implemented comprehensive smoke-free policies in bars had an average 25 percent increase in sales tax revenues, relative to those that did not.
The state of smoke-free New York City: A one-year review
The New York City Department of Finance, Health & Mental Hygiene, Small Business Services and Economic Development Corporation
Download the Research – NYC Smoke-free Year Review
After passing a smoke-free ban on restaurants and bars, New York City wanted to see if it had an impact on business. Data was collected for one year and was compared with the previous year [prior to being smoke-free]. Data was collected and analyzed on eight factors: bar and restaurant receipts, bar and restaurant employment, bar and restaurant openings and closings, compliance with the Smoke-Free Air Act, public opinion, workplace air quality, worker protection, and the state of a smoke-free city. The study found New York City experienced an almost 9 percent increase in revenues at bars and restaurants just one year after passing a comprehensive smoke-free law.
The City’s bar and restaurant industry is thriving and its workers are breathing cleaner, safer air.
