OSU Study: Smoking bans don’t hurt business

A new study led by an assistant professor at Ohio State has found that there is no significant economic impact on bars and restaurants in communities with smoking bans (Source: “Ban hurting business? No, study says,” Columbus Dispatch, May 19, 2009).

Although many bar and restaurant owners have opposed smoking bans on the grounds that they would lead to a loss of business, the study found almost no difference in the number of people employed in bars and restaurants in communities with smoking bans, compared to those without a ban.

"In the end, we can say there isn't a significant economic effect by type of clean indoor air policy, which should give us more support for maintaining the most beneficial public health policies," said Elizabeth Klein, an assistant professor of health behavior and health promotion at Ohio State.

The study, which was conducted by researchers at OSU and the University of Minnesota, was published in the June edition of journal Prevention Science.