FAQ's About Smoke-Free Restaurants
What about installing a ventilation system?
According to the Surgeon General’s latest report,
eliminating smoking in indoor spaces is the only way to fully protect
nonsmokers from exposure to secondhand smoke. Separating smokers from non
smokers, cleaning the air, and ventilating buildings cannot eliminate exposure
of nonsmokers to secondhand smoke. There is no risk-free level of exposure to
secondhand smoke!
If I implement a smoke-free policy, will I lose business?
Studies show
that restaurants that go smoke-free do not tend to lose business due to their
new policies. Some studies even show restaurants increasing business after such
a change. For any type of business, most people support businesses that adopt a
policy such as this in the interest of the health of their employees (and
customers), especially when smoke-free workplaces have become so common
nationwide.
If I implement a smoke-free policy, will I lose employees?
Most of your
employees will probably appreciate the fact that you are adopting this policy
in the interest of their health. While your smoking employees may be frustrated
at no longer being able to smoke at work, it is unlikely that you will lose any
employees over this decision, especially if you offer cessation services for
your smoking employees who want to quit. According to the latest Surgeon
General’s report, establishing smoke-free workplaces is the only way to ensure
that secondhand smoke exposure does not occur in the workplace.
What about separate work areas for smokers and nonsmokers?
Putting
smokers in separate work areas does not protect the nonsmokers from secondhand
smoke. Smoke drifts from area to area and is circulated throughout the building
by the air handling system. Furthermore, allowing smokers to smoke in their
separate work area would still create a dangerous place for any nonsmoking
staff (including the maintenance staff) to visit. According to the recent
Surgeon General’s report, separating smokers from nonsmokers cannot eliminate exposures of nonsmokers to
secondhand smoke.
Advocates of smoke-free restaurants cite studies that show a positive impact on
business. The opponents say the studies show a negative impact. Who should I
believe?
The Tobacco Control Journal published a summary review in 2003
where three researchers independently looked at 97 studies that had made
statements on the economic impact of smoke-free hospitality venues. They found
that smoke-free restaurant and bar laws had no impact, or a positive impact, on
sales and employment. The researchers also found that all the studies that had
concluded a loss of jobs and profits following smoke-free legislation had been
supported by the tobacco industry.
Is it the government’s role to regulate smoking?
Most people agree that
where there is a public health hazard, it is the role of the government to help
mitigate the risk. This is why there are health inspections of restaurants and
there is a law that requires those who handle food to wash their hands. We have
laws against driving while intoxicated. Much like smoking, these are personal
behavior choices but when the risk of harm to the public is apparent, it is
imperative that laws are in place to protect the public over the rights of an
individual.