• Wrong!

Not a single study using objective data and sound research methodology has found an overall negative impact because of smoke-free laws. The effects are uniformly neutral or positive, with little short-term effects on the hospitality sector and some positive long-term effects as non-smokers start going to cafes and other venues that they once avoided because of second-hand smoke.

A 2005 review of 115 studies from Australia, Canada and the United States found that “smoke-free legislation does not have a negative impact on the sales of hospitality venues sales, revenues, profits and employment of restaurants, bars, and hotels, over the long term”.

In the United States, two years after smoke-free laws was implemented in Washington State, sales revenues were US$ 105.5 million – higher than expected for bars and taverns.

In New Zealand in 2004, despite concerns that smoke-free laws would reduce tourism, the country experienced a 1.5% increase in overseas visitors and a 3.3% increase in visitors’ expenditures in 2005.

In Norway, customer frequency figures for bars and restaurants were virtually unchanged after the smoking ban, including for smoking customers.

In Scotland, a review of the health and economic impacts of smoking restrictions on the hotel, bar and restaurant industries – using sales tax and employment data – “have failed to find any statistically significant effect”.

In the United Kingdom, a survey found that 20% of non-smokers reported that they frequented pubs more often since the smoking ban.

In Canada, a report demonstrated that the implementation of Ontario’s comprehensive smoke-free law in 2001 had no negative impact on sales in bars and restaurants.