EFFECTIVENESS OF SMOKEFREE ACTION 

Going smokefree gets results.  
It  improves health,  reduces exposure and clears the air,  lowers smoking rates  and  wins public approval  - and  without harming business.  Check the mountain of independent research evidence below....    

SHS = secondhand smoke     

    
    Smokefree laws are effective: worldwide reviews
    2011:  Summary of worldwide research in prestigious medical journal The Lancet shows smokefree laws are effective in yielding rapid health benefits - significantly 
    reducing heart attacks and respiratory disorders including child asthma.  Lancet article 29/9/11          

    2010:  Worldwide review released by the Cochrane Collaboration finds that legislative smoking bans have achieved their primary objective of reducing 
    exposure to secondhand smoke. The review of 50 studies examined the effects of clean air legislation in countries, states and regional areas. It found these laws:
      - reduce exposure to secondhand smoke, and especially for hospitality workers;
      - reduce hospital admissions for heart attacks;
      - reduce tobacco consumption; and
      - meet with increasing public approval over time.
    The authors conclude that "Governments around the world have the responsibility to protect their citizens from the dangers of secondhand smoke by enacting
    comprehensive smoke-free laws that include all workplaces and public places, including restaurants and bars."   See  full review  


LATEST NEWS

 

Heart deaths halved by smokefree workplaces

November 2011: People working in smokefree workplaces are likely to live longer, says a US study. The Mayo Clinic research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions this week in Orlando, Florida, shows that heart attacks and sudden cardiac deaths were halved among Olmsted County, Minnesota residents after a smokefree reform. Adult smoking dropped 23% during the same time, but other risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity remained stable or increased. Says Mayo Clinic researcher Dr Richard Hurt: “The study shows that everyone, especially people with known coronary artery disease, should ... have literally no exposure to secondhand smoke because it is too dangerous to their health.”  Businesswire report 14/11/11 

 

Smokefree bars, restaurants linked with 20% fall in heart emergencies 

November 2011: Emergency hospitalisations from heart attacks have dropped more than 20% across the US state of North Carolina since smokefree laws in bars and restaurants took effect. A report by the NC Division of Public Health says while their statistical modelling couldn't take into account everything that cut heart attack rates, the reform almost certainly played a big part.  NC Health report Nov. 2011

 

Smoke-free venues: Family-friendly and business-friendly

Writes Tony Holland, hotelier of Captains Flat NSW:  My wife Vicky and I are about to take possession of a lovely 1937 Hotel in the quiet village of Captains Flat, 30 minutes outside the ACT. We are planning to change the focus on the facility to be very family and business friendly and also totally smoke free. I am very committed to the principles of smoke free and our belief is that even if this costs us business, so be it. The higher calling of making a clear stand on a no smoking environment is much more important that money. In saying this, I am confident that the word will get around that this is a great place to go, for good food, reasonably priced accommodation and an environment that is 100% smoke free. Smoking is such and insidious and toxic plague on our community and we are very pleased to be starting our new business venture with a clear message to indicate our stand on this critical public health issue.

 


SMOKEFREE VENUES QUICKLY IMPROVE HEALTH

World:  

Smokefree laws are effective: worldwide review
2011:  Summary of worldwide research in prestigious medical journal The Lancet shows smokefree laws are effective in yielding rapid health benefits - significantly reducing heart attacks and respiratory disorders including child asthma.  Lancet article 29/9/11

 

Smokefree environments linked to less breast cancer

2011: Women in smokefree homes and workplaces are less likely to develop or die from breast cancer, says a US study in Tobacco Control.  US states with more smokefree homes and workplaces had significantly fewer breast cancer deaths, particularly among younger premenopausal women - around 20% of the change in breast cancer death rates attributed to smokefree reforms. See  the study 

Smokefree workplaces cut preterm births, maternal smoking
2010: A study shows maternal smoking fell by 37% and preterm births by 23% in the US town of Pueblo, Colorado after indoor workplaces and public places went smokefree in 2006 - a change not experienced in surrounding areas not making the reform. Authors conclude that "implementing strong tobacco control policy can protect even the most vulnerable..."   See  abstract

Hospital admissions fall after smokefree places laws: more evidence
 2010: Hospital admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory disease have dropped by a third since smokefree laws were introduced, says a study in Toronto, Canada. It's the latest in a long line of studies showing health - and budgetary - benefits from smokefree laws.  See  study abstract

Major report confirms: smokefree laws cut heart attacks
 2009:  A major report confirms secondhand smoke causes heart attacks, even brief exposure can cause them, and smokefree laws reduce them. The report, Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Cardiovascular Effects: Making Sense of the Evidence, is a comprehensive review of the science on the relationship between SHS exposure and acute coronary events. It was conducted independently by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in the US for the Centers for Disease Control. See  report and summary   See also web feature at the CDC site on the cardiovascular effects of secondhand smoke exposure, and CDC's media statement on the IOM Report

Smokefree Australia recently stepped up its call for all workplaces and crowded public places to be made 100% smokefree, after other new studies showing public places laws have cut heart attacks in Europe and North America by more than previously suggested.  See  BBC report 21/9/09    One of the papers, in Circulation  journal, examined data from 13 separate analyses and concluded: "Passage of strong smoke-free legislation produces rapid and substantial benefits in terms of reduced acute myocardial infarctions, and these benefits grow with time."    See  abstract    The other review, in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, reached a similar conclusion.  See  abstract     See  SmokeFree Australia media release 24/9/09

Smokefree laws reduce heart disease: WHO report 
2008: Reports from scientists at the World Health Organisation say smokefree legislation prevents heart disease, helps quitting and protects children.  
See  Reuters report 29/6/08 

Smokefree laws cut almost a fifth of heart attack hospitalisations
 2008: A report in the British Medical Journal reviewing worldwide research evidence shows smokefree laws have reduced by 19% the hospital admissions for heart attacks in places where the changes are in effect.  See  the report

Worldwide doctors' report shows success of smokefree laws
2005: In a report published by the British Medical Association, doctors from eight countries applaud smokefree laws as a success in improving health. Results include falling lung cancer rates (California) and more. The doctors' report can be downloaded from   www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/content/smokefreeworld

Irish Republic:  

Smokefree Irish pubs help cut pregnant smoking, premature births
2009:  Smokefree workplace laws introduced in the Irish Republic in 2004 are linked with reduced rates of smoking while pregnant and with reduced premature births. 12% fewer women reported smoking during pregnancy in the year after the change, compared to the year before, said the study in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.  See  study abstract  

Irish heart attacks fall 11% after smokefree pubs
2007: Heart attacks in the Irish Republic fell by 11% in the year after a nationwide ban on smoking in workplaces, including pubs. Authors of the study from Cork University Hospital said it should encourage health authorities to look at extending bans.   See  Reuters report 4/9/07

Smokefree Irish pubs improve health
2007: The Irish Republic's smokefree pub laws have cut air pollution in pubs and improved barworkers' health, a study has found. The 2004 bans led to an 83% reduction in air pollution and an 80% cut in cancer-causing agents - leading to improved lung function in workers, says the study in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.   See  BBC report 16/4/07 

Barworkers breathe easier after ban
2005: The Republic of Ireland has improved the health of its barworkers by banning indoor smoking, says research. And without any harm to the pub trade!     See  Irish update, Sept 2005

Norway:  

Smokefree bars an immediate health hit
2005: Total indoor smoke bans in bars, clubs and restaurants in 2004 brought immediate health benefits, says the Norwegian government. Lower nicotine readings, better air quality and improved breathing have all shown up since the bans.   See  media report 12/10/05    See  Norway Health Affairs Directorate report, 2005 

New Zealand:   

Smokefree bars lead to health benefits
2005: A year after New Zealand bars went indoor-smokefree, Ministry of Health figures show, as they have everywhere, significant health benefits.  Download pdf of the report (under 10 December) at  www.smokefreelaw.co.nz . See health groups' assessment (under 8 December) at  www.asthmanz.co.nz

Smokefree Kiwi bars & workplaces cut health risks
2004: Health risks to non-smokers dramatically reduced when NZ introduced 2003 total ban on smoking in bars. Study showed 40% drop in levels of hydrogen cyanide gas, a major contributor to SHS deaths, in six pubs, casinos and clubs surveyed a year after reforms took effect.  See report, Sydney Morning Herald 23/12/04     

Spain:  

Smokefree changes linked with fewer acute heart attacks
 2009: Review of Barcelona hospital discharges for Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) or acute heart attacks found "introduction of regulations on smokefree areas [in 2006].... accompanied by a reduction in the AMI hospitalization rate." Confirms similar findings worldwide on smokefree laws reducing heart attack rates. See  study

Sweden: 

Workers healthier in smokefree Swedish bars
 2007: One year after smokefree workplace changes, Swedish bar and restaurant workers are much less exposed to secondhand smoke and are showing significant health improvements, says a new study from the country's National Institute of Public Health.   See  summary and contact

Switzerland:

Heart attacks fall 21% in Swiss city after smokefree indoor reform

2011: Heart attack hospitalisations fell an average 21% in the Swiss city of Graubunden after smokefree indoor public places laws came into effect, says a three-years study confirming the health benefits of smokefree reforms. Full study, May 2011

UK:  

Scotland's smokefree laws slash child asthma hospitalisations
 2010:  Since Scotland made enclosed public places smokefree in March 2006, child hospital admissions for asthma have fallen dramatically. A nine-year study of all under-15 admissions after indoor restaurants, pubs, sports and entertainment venues went smokefree, shows an annual 5%+ increase turned into an 18% fall.  See  New England Journal of Medicine abstract

Smokefree public places laws cut heart attacks even where other workplaces already smokeless
 2010: Another study has shown smokefree laws cut heart attack hospital admissions, even where other workplace smoking restrictions were already in place. A University of Bath, UK study showed, even after careful control of other variables, "important public-health benefits" from the clean air laws.  See the  study 

Study finds smokefree laws improve health, reduce heart attacks
 2008:  Study in prestigious New England Journal of Medicine provides strong evidence that laws requiring smokefree workplaces have rapid and significant impacts on health.  After smokefree laws in Scotland, 17% fall in hospital admissions for acute heart attacks - two-thirds of the improvement among non-smokers. See  study abstract 

This adds to a growing body of scientific evidence that shows: (1) secondhand smoke is a proven cause of serious disease and premature death, and (2) Smoke-free air laws provide significant and immediate benefits to health.  Public health authorities around the world agree that secondhand smoke is a proven cause of lung cancer, heart disease, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), low birthweight and serious respiratory conditions.

Many other studies have shown reductions in coronary events in the wake of smokefree laws. But the Scottish study is particularly strong because it used larger samples, examined effects among non-smokers and smokers, included measures of exposure to secondhand smoke, and included a strong geographic control.      

There'll always be an England... despite the tobacco lobby's predictions
 2007: As smoke bans in totally enclosed areas of English pubs approached, opponents circulated the usual scare stories. So what happened? Are England's pubs empty but for the armies of under-cover smoke police? See this review of how things have really turned out for health, quitting, and business.  ASH UK report 10/07 

Bar staff smoke exposure drops 95% - and "minimal" trade impact
2007: Employee exposure to secondhand smoke fell 95% after England's ban on smoking in totally enclosed areas - with "minimal" impact on trade, despite hoteliers' predictions. Preliminary study presented to a National Cancer Research Institute conference in Birmingham.   See  UK Guardian report 1/10/07  

Scots bar workers benefit from smokefree pubs
2007: Scots bar workers have had their smoke exposure reduced by almost 90%, are having fewer respiratory health problems and are smoking less a year after Scotland's indoor-smokefree pub laws came into effect, says a study from the University of Aberdeen.   See  media report 11/9/07 with link to study     

Scots barworkers healthier in smokefree workplaces
 2006: Barworkers in Scotland found their coughs, wheezes and asthma attacks fell significantly within a month of indoor smoke bans coming into effect. Study in the Journal of the American Medical Association  looked at the health impacts of workers from forty Scottish pubs.  See the  study

USA:  

Smokefree workplaces cut preterm births
2010: A study shows maternal smoking fell by 37% and preterm births by 23% in the US town of Pueblo, Colorado after indoor workplaces and public places went smokefree in 2006 - a change not experienced in surrounding areas not making the reform. Authors conclude that "implementing strong tobacco control policy can protect even the most vulnerable..."   See  abstract

24% fall in heart disease hospitalisations after smokefree Iowa law  
2010: An Iowa, US Department of Public Health study of hospital data shows statewide average 24% drop in coronary heart disease admissions in 2008, when new smokefree workplace laws came into effect, compared with previous years. Significant impacts also recorded for heart attacks and strokes. The benefit appears to be increasing. The authors say the law "has already reduced the risk of debilitative or fatal cardiovascular disease for thousands of Iowans."  See  report summary

Smoke bans halve non-smoker heart hospitalisations: study
2007: Indoor smoke bans in eating, drinking and working spaces reduced heart-related hospital admissions of non-smokers by 59% within two years, says study across two US counties. Indiana University researchers surveyed 35,000 hospitalisations across comparable counties - one with smoke bans, one without.  See  study abstract  and  Newswise report 19/11/07 

Smokefree laws slash heart disease: more evidence
 2007: Another study has found smokefree laws have a quick effect in reducing heart attacks - in one US city almost halving the rate of heart disease in three years.  See  Khuder (May 2007)  in Preventive Medicine (advance online publication)  Editorial in same edition looks at this and other recent US studies and finds overall that smoke bans in work and public areas have led to a 27% reduction in heart disease hospital admissions.  See  Preventive Medicine editorial May 2007

Smoking cut, lives saved in smokefree New York
 2006: New York City Mayor Bloomberg has told health leaders the city's smokefree bars and restaurants policy has contributed to 200,000 less smokers and 60,000 less premature deaths a year.   See  excerpts from Bloomberg speech 14/6/06  See  NY Clean Air Act impact report July 2006 

Heart attacks drop 27% just 18 months after smoke ban
2005: Study from the city of Pueblo, Colorado, US, shows heart attack hospital admissions fell by 27% in 18 months after a smoke ban in licensed venues. The study confirms the effectiveness of smoke bans in improving health and saving on hospital and other health costs.   See  report 14/11/05   

Smoke ban effective in eliminating cancer risk
2004: Total indoor smoke ban in licensed venues in Baltimore, USA, led to the virtual elimination of smoke-related carcinogenic harm in these venues, says study.    See study media release 8/9/04

Bans effective in cutting bar workers' poison
2004: Early findings from a New York Health Department study shows bar workers'  toxic intake slashed by 85% by just three months of smokefree venues laws - and Australian bar workers ask what kind of behind-the-scenes lobbying is stopping our own governments protecting basic public and work health rights.  See SmokeFree Australia media release 11/3/04    

Smokefree workplaces help drive Californian cancer down 
Smokefree workplace laws - covering bars and nightclubs including gambling venues - have helped slash California's smoking rates - and cut lung cancer by almost 20% in the last 12 years. It's a lesson for Australian governments on the clear-cut public health benefits - and cost savings - of going smokefree.  See report  

Immediate impact of smoke bans on heart attack rates
2004: British Medical Journal  2004 (see under April 5: Sargent et al) study from Helena, Montana, US showing 40% drop in heart attack rates in six months after statewide total smoke bans in public buildings. Sadly, the ban was later reversed - and heart attack rates shot back up to their previous level.

 

SMOKEFREE VENUES CUT SMOKING RATES

World:  

Smokefree laws help health and quitting and don't hurt business: WHO report 
2008: New reports from scientists at the World Health Organisation say smokefree legislation prevents heart disease, helps quitting and protects children.  
See  Reuters report 29/6/08 

Worldwide doctors' report shows success of smokefree laws
2005: In a report published by the British Medical Association, doctors from eight countries applaud smokefree laws as a success in lowering smoking rates. Results include falling cigarette sales and rising quit rates (Ireland - see reports below). The doctors' report can be downloaded from   www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/content/smokefreeworld

World/Australia:

Smokefree workplaces drive down smoking rates
2002: Review of the effect of workplace smoking bans in Australia, USA, Canada and Germany found smokefree workplaces not only protect the health of employees – they also help smokers quit. Total smoke bans in workplaces "not only protect non-smokers from the dangers of passive smoking, they also encourage smokers to quit or to reduce consumption." Smokefree workplaces lead to smokers cutting their consumption by between two and four cigarettes a day.    More…  

Australia:  

40% of quitters say smokefree bars and clubs helped
2008: 4 of every 10 people who quit smoking say smokefree changes in pubs and clubs have helped them do it, says new research from the Cancer Council Victoria. For smokers under 30, the rate was even higher: 45%.  See  Cancer Council Victoria media release 30/6/08

Quitline calls jump 27% after Victorian pub smoke bans
 2007:  Calls to the Quitline rose by 27% in the month following Victoria's ban on smoking in totally enclosed areas of pubs and clubs on July 1. Quit Victoria says the smokefree changes have had a "significant impact": on people's attempts to stop smoking.   See  Quit Victoria media release 1/8/07 

Smokefree WA pubs and clubs popular with patrons and help quitters
2007: A new Curtin University survey in Western Australia shows smokefree licensed venue laws introduced in July 2006 have attracted patrons, have deterred few smokers from going out - but encouraged many to quit smoking.  See Cancer Council WA media release 17/1/07    See survey backgrounder and summary  

Smokefree NSW pubs encourage quitting
2005: Increasing smoke bans in pubs and clubs are encouraging many young smokers to quit, says a report in the Sydney Morning Herald. In the report, SmokeFree Australia warns that only outright bans will effectively protect public health.  See  SMH report 4/5/05

Smoke bans would help youth quit: study
2004: Smoking bans in licensed venues would help people quit, especially young smokers, says a study from the Cancer Council Victoria.  See Quit Victoria release 1/10/04   See the Cancer Council study    This confirms earlier study: see Trotter study 2002

Irish Republic: 

Pub smoke ban means less people, not more, smoking at home
 2006: Smokefree workplace changes in the Irish Republic have led to more smokefree homes, says government research - making nonsense of claims smoke bans in pubs would lead to more people smoking at home in the presence of children.  See  details and media report 9/6/06

Italy:  

Pub, restaurant smoking bans lead to big drop in cigarette sales
2006: Cigarette sales have fallen more than 10% in the year since Italy's January 2005 ban on smoking in bars and other public places, according to the tobacco vendors' trade association, Assotabaccai.  See report in  Bloomberg News, 5/1/06

New Zealand:  

Quitline flooded in leadup to pub/club smoking ban
2004: Smokers wanting to quit besieged a national helpline ahead of the NZ workplace indoor smoking ban to take effect on December 10, 2004. So much for opponents of smokefree venues claiming they won't reduce smoking rates!   See Stuff.nz report 6/12/04

UK:  

Smokefree workplaces cut maternal smoking
2010: A study shows maternal smoking fell by 37% and preterm births by 23% in the US town of Pueblo, Colorado after indoor workplaces and public places went smokefree in 2006 - a change not experienced in surrounding areas not making the reform. Authors conclude that "implementing strong tobacco control policy can protect even the most vulnerable..."   See  abstract

Surge in quit rate follows smokefree laws
2008:  There was a 28% increase in successful quit attempts through the UK National Health Service in the wake of 2007 bans on smoking in fully enclosed public places. The overall British smoking rate has fallen to its lowest-ever level of 22%, though this was falling before the new law.   See  BBC News report 29/1/08  

There'll always be an England... despite the pro-smoking lobby's predictions
 2007: As smoke bans in totally enclosed areas of English pubs approached, the opposition circulated the usual scare stories. So what really happened afterwards? Are England's pubs empty but for armies of under-cover smoke police? A review of how things have really turned out for health, quitting, and business.  ASH UK report 10/07 

Quit products boom in Scotland after smokefree pubs
2006: Sales of nicotine replacement products have doubled since Scotland’s smoke-free licensed venue laws legislation came into force.   See   report in The Scotsman 12/4/06       

Smoke ban will help quitting in Northern Ireland
2006: The ban on smoking in Northern Ireland will help almost 40% of smokers try to quit, a survey suggests.   See BBC news report 8/3/06 

USA:  

24% fall in heart disease hospitalisations after smokefree Iowa law  
Jan. 2010: Iowa, US Department of Public Health study of hospital data shows the state saw an average 24% drop in coronary heart disease admissions in 2008, when new smokefree workplace laws came into effect, compared with previous years. Significant impacts were also recorded for heart attacks and strokes. The benefit appears to be increasing. The authors say the law "has already reduced the risk of debilitative or fatal cardiovascular disease for thousands of Iowans."  See  report summary

Smoking cut, lives saved, no trade loss: NY Mayor lashes "scare campaign"
2006: New York City Mayor Bloomberg has told health leaders the city's smokefree bars and restaurants policy has contributed to 200,000 less smokers and 60,000 less premature deaths a year.   See  excerpts from Bloomberg speech 14/6/06

Smokefree workplaces help employees quit
2005: New study to be published in the American Journal of Public Health shows workers in smokefree workplaces are more than twice as likely to quit smoking than those in smoky workplaces.  See  the study 

New York City smoking rate drops 11% after indoor ban
2004: A ban on indoor smoke in restaurants and bars has helped push New York City's smoking rate down by a massive 11%.  See New York Times report 12/5/04    

 

SMOKEFREE VENUES ARE POPULAR

Australia:  

NSW people attracted to smokefree dining by more than 7:1
2009: NSW government report on Adult Health in NSW 2008 shows people attracted to smokefree dining outnumber those deterred by more than 7 to 1.   See  report   

One year on: smokefree bars backed by SA public, smokers, managers
 2008: A year after taking effect, South Australia's law making totally enclosed licensed areas smokefree had over 90% public aaproval, 86% of managers and 72% of smokers. SA government/Cancer Council survey also shows growing community awareness, high compliance, and increased manager awareness of OHS implications.  See  SA government media release 1/11/08 

Smokefree WA pubs and clubs popular with patrons and help quitters
2007: Curtin University survey in Western Australia shows smokefree licensed venue laws introduced in 2006 attracted patrons, deterred few smokers from going out - but encouraged many to quit smoking.  See Cancer Council WA media release 17/1/07    See survey backgrounder and summary  

Italy:  

Italians love smokefree bars, restaurants
2009:  Three years after indoors areas of Italy's bars and restaurants went smokefree, public support and compliance are high; and more people have been attracted to the venues than deterred, says a review of four independent surveys.  See  full study online 

USA:  

Smoking cut, lives saved, no trade loss: NY Mayor lashes "scare campaign"
2006: New York City Mayor Bloomberg has told health leaders the city's smokefree bars and restaurants policy has contributed to 200,000 less smokers and 60,000 less premature deaths a year.   See  excerpts from Bloomberg speech 14/6/06

Smokefree California, 15 years on: 90% approval, youth smoking down, quitting up
2005: Study on long-term impacts of California's smokefree workplace laws shows 90% public support, reduced smoking, big impact on quitting, more. See report 25/1/05

 

SMOKEFREE VENUES REDUCE EXPOSURE, IMPROVE AIR QUALITY   
... and DO NOT HARM SOCIAL EQUITY 

Norway:  

Smokefree bars an immediate health hit
2005: Total indoor smoke bans in bars, clubs and restaurants from 2004 brought immediate health benefits, says the Norwegian government. Lower nicotine readings, better air quality and improved breathing have all shown up since the bans.   See  media report 12/10/05    See  Norway Health Affairs Directorate report, 2005 

Sweden: 

Workers healthier in smokefree Swedish bars
 2007: One year after smokefree workplace changes, Swedish bar and restaurant workers are much less exposed to secondhand smoke and are showing significant health improvements, says a new study from the country's National Institute of Public Health.   See  summary and contact

UK: 

Lower exposure across all socioeconomic groups after UK reform
2010:  A survey of SHS exposure in England has found reduced exposure across all socio-economic groups - disputing suggestions that the reform would only benefit the more wealthy.  See  report

UK smokefree law did not lead to more child smoke exposure at home: study   
2009:  Smokefree pub laws in the Wales have not led to children being exposed to more smoking at home. Cardiff University study of 3,500 schoolchildren found hardly any change in smoke exposure after enclosed areas went smokefree in England, Northern Ireland and Wales in 2007; confirms similar findings in Irish Republic; and nails tobacco industry myth that smokefree pubs would drive people home to smoke more there.  See  BBC report 25/11/09   and  study abstract

English bar staff smoke exposure drops 95% and "minimal" trade impact
2007: Employee exposure to secondhand smoke fell 95% after England's ban on smoking in totally enclosed areas - with "minimal" impact on trade, despite hoteliers' predictions. Preliminary study presented to National Cancer Research Institute conference in Birmingham.   See  UK Guardian report 1/10/07 

USA:    

Smokefree laws can cut child smoke exposure by 40%
2010: Smokefree laws cut tobacco smoke exposure levels in children and youths from smokefree homes by around 40%, says new research in Pediatrics journal. The US study analysed data from more than 11,000 non-smoking children and youths aged 3-19. Results suggest "smoke-free laws are an effective strategy for reducing cotinine [nicotine monitor] in youth without home SHS exposure..."    See  abstract  

Hospitality workers' exposure halved by smokefree law
2010: Smokefree laws in Minnesota more than halved the nicotine content of most hospitality workers measured by cotinine testing in a study in Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention.  See  abstract

Smokefree Rhode Island: business up, air pollution down
2005:  Smoke bans in the US state of Rhode Island have led indoor air pollution readings falling 96%.  See  report 4/10/05

Air pollution down 89% after smoke bans 
 2005: Study in the US shows air pollution dropping 89% after indoor smoke bans in bars and restaurants.   See report 21/4/05  

 

Smokefree laws do not harm business or cost jobs See the independent research evidence

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