Thirty-nine percent of nonsmokers in Colorado say they plan to frequent restaurants more often, and 23 percent say they will frequent bars more often once Colorado’s smoke-free law goes into effect, according to a phone survey of 600 Colorado adults conducted by Market Perceptions in April 2006. Colorado communities and other states that have smoke-free ordinances in place have experienced a positive economic impact as a result of local or state laws.

In Fort Collins, sales tax revenue from dining and drinking establishments increased more than five percent the year after the city’s smoke-free ordinance took effect.1

In Boulder, the city showed positive economic growth in the years following the passage of its 1995 ordinance. In fact, in 1998 and 1999 revenues increased more than four percent each year.2

In New York, a Zagat survey shows that nearly a quarter of respondents dined out more often after the state’s smoke-free law took effect.3

In Florida, restaurant sales increased by seven percent the year after the state’s smoke-free law took effect.4

In Delaware, the number of restaurant, tavern and taproom licenses increased from 3,291 to 3,323 the year after its smoke-free law took effect. Employment within the hospitality industry also increased from 27,900 individuals to 28,100 in that same year.5

In Massachusetts, the smoke-free law has not affected keno sales or the number of those working in hospitality.6

In California, restaurant and bar receipts have increased each year since its smoke-free law was enacted in 1997. In addition, the bar and restaurant industry grew, having added approximately 200,000 bar and restaurant positions within six years.7

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Relevant Downloads

Several materials have been developed to help restaurant and bar owners, managers and employees better understand the smoke-free law. Simply click on the following selections to download and/or print: