COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Ohio Department of Health says an
analysis of the impact of a four-year-old smoking ban shows that it has
not adversely affected business at bars and restaurants.
The
department says a researcher examined taxable sales from bars and
restaurants adjusted for unemployment and seasonal changes.
The
department also says a telephone survey shows that 75 percent of Ohio
adults say they go to bars and restaurants about as often as they did
before the ban.
The ban authorized by voters in 2006 applies to
about 280,000 public and work places. It has been challenged by bar and
restaurant owners around the state and called unconstitutional.
In July, the department said more than $1.7 million in unpaid smoking-ban fines were owed by
establishments statewide.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Ohio Department of Health says an
analysis of the impact of a four-year-old smoking ban shows that it has
not adversely affected business at bars and restaurants.
The
department says a researcher examined taxable sales from bars and
restaurants adjusted for unemployment and seasonal changes.
The
department also says a telephone survey shows that 75 percent of Ohio
adults say they go to bars and restaurants about as often as they did
before the ban.
The ban authorized by voters in 2006 applies to
about 280,000 public and work places. It has been challenged by bar and
restaurant owners around the state and called unconstitutional.
In July, the department said more than $1.7 million in unpaid smoking-ban fines were owed by
establishments statewide.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.