Smokefree bars thriving in New York

March 3, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Smokefree bars thriving in New York

Twelve months on from the introduction of smokefree restaurants and bars in New York, profits, jobs and tourism are up. This is despite doom and gloom predications from tobacco industry allies that business would suffer.

Leigh Sturgiss, Director of the Smokefree Coalition says it’s no surprise that revenues from New York bars and restaurants have increased since they became smokefree.

“We’ve seen this pattern repeated again and again in jurisdictions that have introduced smokefree workplaces. Despite scare mongering from the tobacco industry and their friends, tax revenues from New York bars and restaurants increased by over 12 percent over the same period a year earlier.

“Tourism in New York is booming and hotel revenues are up for the first time in three years. Hospitality industry jobs have increased and people are eating out more. Polls show that New Yorkers overwhelmingly support the new smokefree workplace law”.

Leigh Sturgiss says that she expects similar results to occur here when New Zealand’s hospitality venues go smokefree from December 10 this year.

“Seventy-five percent of New Zealander’s don’t smoke – there’s a huge untapped market out there of people who are currently staying home because they don’t appreciate sore eyes and smelly clothes caused by second-hand smoke.

“For some of us December can’t come soon enough”.

ENDS

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