Facts
Secondhand smoke contains at least 250 chemicals known to be toxic, including more than 50 that can cause cancer.
Secondhand smoke exposure causes heart disease and lung cancer in nonsmoking
adults.
Breathing secondhand smoke has immediate harmful effects on the cardiovascular system that can increase the risk of heart attack. People who already have heart disease are at especially high risk.
Secondhand smoke exposure causes respiratory symptoms in children and slows their lung growth.
Secondhand smoke causes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), acute respiratory infections, ear problems, and more frequent and severe asthma attacks in children.
The U.S. Surgeon General has stated there is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure. Even brief exposure can be dangerous.
Separating smokers from nonsmokers, air cleaning technologies, and ventilating buildings cannot eliminate secondhand smoke exposure. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Surgeon General Report, 2006)
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers, the international standard-setting body for indoor air quality, has adopted a position document that states: "At present, the only means of effectively eliminating health risks associated with indoor exposure is to ban smoking activity... No other engineering approaches, including current and advanced dilution ventilation or air cleaning technologies, have demonstrated or should be relied upon to control health risks from ETS [environmental tobacco smoke] exposure in spaces where smoking occurs..." (ASHRAE position document, 2005)
The Society of Actuaries has determined that secondhand smoke costs the U.S. economy roughly $10 billion a year: $5 billion in estimated medical costs associated with secondhand smoke exposure, and another $4.6 billion in lost wages. This estimate does not include youth exposure to secondhand smoke. (Society of Actuaries, March 31, 2005.)
Smoke-free laws add value to establishments. Restaurants in smokefree cities have a higher market value at resale (an average of 16% higher) than comparable restaurants located in smoke-filled cities. (Contemporary Economic Policy, 22(4), October 2004, 520-525.)
Over 65% of the U.S. population is covered by a smoke-free policy in their community.
Smoke-free policies are the simplest and most cost effective way to improve a community's health- results include: reduced exposure to secondhand smoke among workers & the public, reduced cigarette consumption rates, increased successful quit attempts and reinforce efforts to reduce tobacco use among children.
COMMUNITIES THAT WENT SMOKE-FREE:
"We believe that this piece of legislation ... has reasonable controls and is responsible in terms of really making a difference in the community and ultimately helping us reach our vision of becoming an economic hot spot," Greater Louisville (KY) Inc.'s chamber President Steve Higdon said in an interview.
Jim Rich, President of the Greater Beaumont (TX) Chamber of Commerce said, "A number of cities in Texas have enacted this [smokefree] ordinance. It has not impacted business. We want Beaumont to be at the forefront, not the last community to respond to what has become a significant public heath issue."
Mike Merkel, Police Chief, City of Alvin, Texas, said: "Healthy lifestyles include enjoying meals in a smoke-free environment with family, friends, and important people in our lives. Several restaurant [owners] appeared before the city council to challenge and criticize the smoke-free ordinance, citing loss of business. Ironically, today these same restaurants are packed with increased business from this community and new business from surrounding communities."
Springfield, IL - enacted a 100% smoke-free policy in September 2006
The city's tax revenue from bars and restaurants grew after the ban. In the first two quarters since the ban was enacted, city tax revenue from restaurants grew twice as fast as before the ban. (Illinois Dept of Revenue) (Springfield Journal Register, September 9, 2007)
Restaurants' contribution to the city's share of sales tax in 2006's fourth quarter increased by 10 percent over the same period in 2005 (before the ban went into effect). Restaurant contributions during the first quarter of 2007 were 7 percent higher than the same period in 2006 (pre-smoking ban). (Springfield Journal Register, September 9, 2007)
For bars, their contribution to the city's share of the state sales tax in the fourth quarter of 2006 was 4.81 percent higher than the same period in 2005. Revenue had seen double-digit growth the previous three quarters. Bar contributions during the first quarter of 2007 increased 12.2 percent over the same period in 2006. (Springfield Journal Register, September 9, 2007)
Appleton, WI - enacted a 100% smoke-free policy in 2005, population of 70,000 people
No closures of any bar on the city side of the Appleton border with neighboring communities. Opponents of smoke-free bars predicted a financial catastrophe and numerous closings for bars located adjacent to neighboring communities. However, data indicates that there has not been a single bar closure in those areas. This indicates people stay in their local community and do not "drive to smoke." (source - City Health Department - Appleton)
On average, the assessed value of property in the Appleton's Central Business District increased by 32% since the last assessment in 2003. The city's central business district, home of many bars, has thrived since the ordinance. More people feel welcome in bars and restaurants and this has jumpstarted the financial recovery of this key sector of the urban economy. (source - City Assessor's Office - City of Appleton)
Every independent economic impact study examining sales tax data has found no negative economic impact from secondhand smoke laws in communities across the country, and some have found an increase in business. The only studies showing economic losses have been conducted or paid for by the tobacco industry. Their studies are based on business owners' perceptions rather than sales tax data, and are designed to scare communities from passing smoke free air laws.
The 2006 Zagat Survey: America's Top Restaurants of 115,000 Americans found that 58 percent of respondents said they would dine out the same amount if restaurants were smoke-free and 39 percent would dine out more. Only 3 percent said they would dine out less often.
Additional Fact Sheets on Secondhand Smoke & Smoke-Free Policy
The Science of Secondhand Smoke
Secondhand Smoke & Hospitality Workers
Heart Attacks and Secondhand Smoke
Changes in Health and Attitudes of Bartenders in Madison and Appleton, WI