Smoked Out

by Nick Norlen

"No smoking in bars now, and soon no drinking and no talking." --Eddie Izzard

Bitching about our proposed smoking ban is a new city pastime. But a look at recent developments shows that almost all anti-smoking legislation follows the same pattern: Smokers and business owners boo, but the bans go through. Soon after, studies find that they provide a much healthier environment and the public's approval increases. And after about a year of implementation, reports show that bars and restaurants either saw no change or benefited from the new policy. Despite lingering complaints, opinion polls show heavy favor for the bans.

In 1998, California became the first state to ban smoking in all bars and restaurants. Many smokers and bar owners were adamantly opposed to the new law, but a study found that the majority of bar patrons were in favor of it. The data, compiled by the California Department of Health Services, showed 59 percent approval among bar patrons in 1998 and a jump to 73 percent in 2000. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that California's hospitality industry suffered no harm from the ban and even allowed for the possibility of increased revenue.

Delaware passed the Clean Indoor Air Act in 2002, initiating one of the strictest smoking bans in the nation. Its slot casinos originally reported significant financial losses due to the ban but have exhibited full compliance with the new law. A year after the act was passed, a study by the state's Division of Public Health showed that 86 percent of Delaware residents supported its actions to protect citizens from secondhand smoke; 77 percent supported the ban. Part of the survey also revealed that some adults were more likely to dine out now that eateries were smoke-free.

New York, despite its custom smoking bans in several counties, adopted a statewide smoking ban in all workplaces in 2003. After six months, polls showed 59 percent voter approval in the state and 70 percent in New York City. Amid all the lobbying and lawsuits, Department of Taxation and Finance figures showed an increase in revenue. Certain individual establishments reported losing money, but predictions of bankruptcy were overhyped.

It is a common belief that smoking is more socially acceptable overseas. Ireland challenged that stereotype last March when it became the first European nation to initiate a ban on smoking. Now, almost a year later, officials are reporting that 96 percent of pubs are complying with the no-smoking policy. No studies have been released charting the industry's status since the ban, but Norway followed suit, declaring a national smoking ban a few months later. Two weeks ago, Italy implemented a nationwide ban.

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