Many have predicted that when smoking is eliminated from Maine’s bars and pool halls, these establishments will be doomed. Interestingly, these are the same predictions that have been made every time a smoke-free policy is established. These predictions have been wrong in the past, and we suspect they will be wrong this time, too.

There is absolutely no evidence to support that smoke-free policies hurt business.

New data from New York City, which became smoke-free in March, is further evidence. On July 25, the New York State Department of Labor reported a gain of almost 10,000 jobs in bars and restaurants between March and June, surpassing job growth in the hospitality industry during the same period last year. This is the first indication that business is not suffering in their smoke-free environment

In polling conducted in March 2003 over 90 percent of Maine residents said that if bars and taverns went smoke-free, their frequency of visits or their length of stay would either remain the same or increase. More than 75 percent of Maine adults do not smoke. Over 65 percent of Maine adults aged 18-34, those more likely to frequent bars, do not smoke. It only makes sense that business will increase, bringing countless benefits to not only the workers this legislation sought to protect, but also to bar and pool hall owners.

Dr. Jo E. Linder

Chair, Maine Coalition on Smoking or Health

Copy the Story Link