Media release: 24 June, 2003
Study shows “doom & gloom” forecasts based on fear, not facts
A new
study on the impact of smoking bans in New York hotels and restaurants shows
they have not harmed business - contradicting gloomy forecasts from Australian
hospitality organisations about proposed bans in South Australia, Western
Australia and the ACT.
A
study published in the June 2003 issue of the Cornell Hotel and Restaurant
Administration Quarterly* shows smokefree regulations in New York state were
not associated with adverse economic outcomes in the state’s restaurants and
hotels.
"This
latest study shows that doom and gloom claims by the Australian Hotels
Association (AHA) that smoking bans will harm business in both NY and Australia
continue to be based on fear, not objective facts”, says Anne Jones of
Australia’s SmokeFree ’03 coalition.
"The
study flatly contradicts the scare-mongering we’ve seen all over the world and
within Australia on this issue. It confirms the findings of an international
review of almost a hundred studies worldwide, which showed that not one single
objective independent study had shown any evidence of economic harm from smoke
bans – and some had shown actual benefit.”
The
NY study assessed changes in taxable sales and employment in restaurants and
hotels in five locations in New York State that have implemented smokefree
dining regulations since 1995. The authors conclude that business managers
should welcome the opportunity to protect the health of their workers and
patrons by going smokefree - without fear of lost patronage or revenue.
“We
are calling on the South Australian, Western Australian and ACT governments to
act now to reject false claims of lost revenue or jobs, and to protect all
hospitality workers by giving them the same rights to breathe safe, clean air
that all other workers have been granted,” says Anne Jones.
The
benefits will include safer workplaces, reduced risks of litigation from people
with second-hand smoke injuries and lower costs for cleaning and air
conditioning of smoke-filled air.
* Hyland, A et al, “New York’s smoke-free regulations: effects on
employment and sales in the hospitality industry” in Cornell Hotel and
Restaurant Administration Quarterly, June 2003, 9-16 at www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/publications/hraq/feature/pdf/nysmokefree.pdf
Comment:
Anne Jones, ASH Australia
ph. 0417-227-879
Media info:
Stafford Sanders
ph. (02) 9334-1823
SmokeFree '03 coalition:
Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers' Union; Musicians' Union of
Australia;
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance; Australian Council of Trade
Unions;
Action on Smoking and Health Australia; The Cancer Council Australia;
National Heart Foundation of Australia; Australian Council on Smoking and Health;
Non-Smokers' Movement of Australia