(MA) Restaurants, bars gain business under smoke ban

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/04/04/restaurants_bars_gain_business_under_smoke_ban/

Sales and employment at Massachusetts restaurants and bars grew slightly during the first six months of a statewide smoking ban, disproving predictions that the prohibition would inflict serious damage on the hospitality industry, Harvard researchers are scheduled to report today.

As part of the study, analysts from the Harvard School of Public Health tested the air in 27 bars and restaurants both before and after the ban went into effect last July 5. The result: Dangerous cancer-causing toxins plummeted by 93 percent once cigarettes, cigars, and pipes were banished.

The findings arrive as the campaign to eliminate smoking from its last indoor public havens gains momentum not just nationally but globally, with European nations, led by Ireland, moving to extinguish the tradition of a Scotch and a smoke at pubs, nightclubs, and restaurants.

It is a movement hailed as a signal public health triumph and a sweeping social shift. But an increasing body of evidence also suggests that what's good for the health of workers and patrons may also boost the bottom line of businesses.

[hyphenate]

1. Good!

While I'm sure some smokers will be offended, for those of us with allergies to smoke, who can't breathe in some places, this is a blessing. Even if smokers are in their own area, smoke does drift and cause problems. I only wish those who do smoke would consider their own lives and breaths would stop, but I know it's highly addictive and difficult to quit.

[RamboLiberal]

2. I agree with you - I'm hoping my state PA or county Allegheny

are going to go smoke free. There is some discussion of this happening. Especially since the county found out that what they thought was a provision in state law that wouldn't allow a city or county to go smoke-free unless the state did it, was incorrect in the books they were relying on.

[HockeyMom]

3. NYC

has had smoking ban for years. Health of employees? Went to a bridal shower in a NYC bar/restaurant. Five of the six waitresses were outside smoking on their breaks, followed by the bartender when he finished his shift. Fortunately, this was in May when the weather was not 30 below zero, but have seen people outside smoking in the snow too.

[Skittles]

4. I think anything that makes it more difficult to smoke is good

I smoked for a long time and managed to never smoke in a restaurant - I always stepped outside to light up.

[Pied Piper]

14. Another smoker here

I've never had a problem stepping outside for a smoke, year round. I know I have a filthy, disgusting habit, and I'm willing to not subject others to my fumes. I live in Boston, and there was a bit of a fury here when the bill passed, but you would have heard nothing from me! I was in Michigan over the holidays, and when I got home from the bar, I couldn't believe how my clothes reeked!

Nope, I ain't got no problem with the smoking ban in MA. My only gripe is with the folks who feel it is their responsibility to wag their finger in my face and tell me how bad it is to smoke. My usual response is: "I'm standing outside in an alley on my break. If you don't STFU, I will put out this cigarette in your ear (or eye)." That usually shuts them up.

[Skittles]

16. ask them how often they exercise

see how they freaking like questions that are none of their f***ing business

[napi21]

5. I still think they should let it up to the Bar owner.

If it's true, and the smokefree prosper, and the smoke permitted bars flounder, the argument will be over without a fight. No owner is going to risk his business for this issue.

[Nothing Without Hope]

6. This is excellent news and good documentation to keep on hand

to rebut arguments from people opposed to the smoking restriction. Thanks!

[The Devils Advocate]

7. Law of unintended consequences

My business is down the block from a bar. Since the smoking ban was installed, the smokers have come outside to smoke, and that is where they leave their butts. I get to clean up the butts in front of my store.

[Thor_MN]

10. The power to rationalize has to be strong in smokers

"It's not littering, the filter is biodgradeable." Except that it's not.


I would like to see someone put up signs next to left turn lanes that say "Keep your butt in your car!!!"

[msmcghee]

8. Hallalulah!

I had a wonderful trip to Ireland a couple of years ago where I met lots of very nice folks. My only complaint was the heavy smokage in every bar. It took me weeks to decontaminate after I got back.

The pubs are the social centres and it's a lively tradition. Now that they've banned the smoke I'm more anxious to return than ever.

[lanlady]

12. I just returned from Ireland

Pubs & all public places have been smoke-free for one year. The ban is working. People are stepping outside to smoke. Irish press is declaring the ban to be a great success, with 97% compliance.

I was in pubs in remote little villages, and no one was smoking inside.

Fresh air, great music, good beer, no smoke: Ireland's a great place to be!!

[Piperay]

9. WONDERFUL

here in CA no smoking in restuarants and bars, it is so much more pleasant for non-smokers not to have breath in that crap plus business actually does better. :woohoo:

[JerseygirlCT]

11. Great news!

And wonderful to keep in mind when the topic comes up. Still complaining here in CT about similar laws.

I can't tell you how wonderful it is to go out to eat with the family and not have to wait for hours for a "non-smoking" table located next to the nasty smoking section. Ah!

If smokers give up bars and restaurants b/c they cannot manage a meal or a drink without a smoke, then I bet (and this seems to bear that out) that an even larger number of non-smokers will begin to patronize such places, b/c the noxious fumes no longer make the experience unpleasant.

[followthemoney]

17. Smoking and non-smoking sections make little sense...

Like when you go to your local swimming pool and look for the peeing or non-peeing section.

[MrSlayer]

13. As a smoker I have no problem with banning it in restaurants.

But if you can't smoke at a bar it's ridiculous. A bar is a place of vice for Christ's sake. I'm talking neighborhood shot and beer taprooms where locals gather to chew the fat.

[RamboLiberal]

15. Ah but bars used to have spittoons too

Locals used to gather to drink and spit. And a respectable woman was not allowed to sit at the bar.

I think smoking in bars will soon be the anachronism spittoons were.

I think your argument holds no weight.

[hullbert]

20. yes, but...

It was not the chewing tobacco that was taken away, but the spittoon itself. I'm sorry, but I have to agree that bar bans seems a little goofy. As a smoker, I willingly give up the right to smoke in restaurants for the benefit of others, but when you step into a bar, you're not exactly going into a place with a lot of health nuts. Why can't a bar owner decide on their own whether or not to allow people to smoke (which last time I checked, was a legal activity).

[ltfranklin]

18. As a smoker...

I have no problem with the city, state or federal government setting reasonable limits on the amount of smoke in the air of a public place. But if the public place is willing to install systems to keep the ambient smoke level down to below that limit, I think that it should be allowed to do so, with adequate warnings at the door for those that may wish to take their business to a bar with no smoking. Personally, I think that if you can install systems that keep the level of airborne particles down to, say, the level on the average city street, what's the problem? I doubt that so many bars would do so, given the expense of these kind of systems, that it would mean people that don't want ANY smoke in the air would not have many alternatives...unlike smokers, who don't have ANY alternative if the government completely bans smoking bars.

As I recall, the government already has regulations stating the allowed amount of rat droppings and insect parts in the food you get served at said restaurant. So they're already saying it's OK for you to have rat droppings and insect parts in your buffalo wings, as long as you don't have TOO MANY rat droppings and insect parts.

And don't say the ban should be there because of the people that work there...unless you're willing to give the guys who work on city streets air filter masks. People make decisions every day as to how much risk they want to take for a given job. I wouldn't want to work as a Steel-Worker, although the pay is pretty good, the risks just aren't worth it to me...but I wouldn't keep somebody else from doing the job just because it's dangerous.

Of course, that's just me...your milage may vary.

[FormerOstrich]

19. My comments are not going to be very popular.....

I have a problem with these bans. I'm surprised that such laws are praised. I believe it should be up to the owners. Let the markets determine. If an establishment allows smoking and their business suffers because of it, they can then ban it. Vice versa...an establishment bans smoking and their business suffers, they are free to decide to allow it. As an individual (market) you can opt to go to an establishment or not.

So many of those that praise this type of law would be besides them self if it was any other topic than smoking.

I quit smoking for over 9 years and was incredibly stupid enough to start again. Thus, I am familiar with both perspectives.

I am of the opinion that the smoke purists have actually restricted smokers to the point they are actually defeating the stated goal. I believe ultimately smokers all the restrictions make rude smokers.

For instance, I use to go to a local cafe for my lunch break. I read my newspaper, I satisfied my nicotine cravings, and then I would return to work. I wouldn't smoke again until I left work. I would not have dreamed of going to a building's entrance to stand and have a smoke. I would have never dreamed of walking down a street and smoking at the same time.

However, AFTER the city wide ban of smoking I could no longer have my nicotine at the cafe. Eventually, I resorted to smoking at the entrance. Or on the walk to and from the Cafe. So you eliminate environments where there are ash trays, where only people that opt to come to that establishment are around the smoke (versus pedestrians or visitor of a public building).

So in one hand you praise removing smoking environments yet complain with the litter.

At one time I was extremely bothered by the litter, too. I vowed that I would pick up at least one butt for every cigarette I smoked (and encouraged other smokers to do the same) I carried plastic bags and a container so I could clean up after others and minimize the reek. However, now not only will I not pick up other's litter if I have to go outside of a bar to smoke and there is no ashtray I will crush mine out on the ground and leave it.

Am I proud of any of this. ABSOLUTELY NOT. It counters the impression I wish to leave of myself. It counters the way I wish to behave. But you know what...I am at least honest about it.

For the record I am highly allergic to something that is found in some perfumes, scented potpourri, candles, etc. I have had to stop elevators and get out because my feet start swelling, my eyes start swelling shut, my skin looks as if I had boiling water poured on it, and I get a headache that is unbearable. However, I think it would be unreasonable to request that no one can wear perfume anymore, light candles, or hang an air freshener.

Live and let live.

[CitizenWill]

21. Excellent post... bravo!!! N/T

[truthisfreedom]

22. i think businesses will eventually open up rooftop decks for smokers to

clear them off the streets.

[I_Make_Mistakes]

23. It is time for smokers to become entrepreneurial

I am a smoker who has been left on the verge of vomiting from people's over use of stinky air. I am allergic to male/female perfumes/colognes, I suffer sneezing, swollen glands, stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting. So, please don't fume, before you go out.

I agree, smoking leaves one with fumes, but, they don't make ME ILL, perfume and colognes do.

It is time for smoking only airlines, bars, restaurants, etc.