The smoking gun
Summary of UK studies included in the report

Study 40
Author and year published: Edwards, 2000 Reference: Edwards R. New Study: 76 per cent of the North East hospitality trade back smoke free areas & over 90 per cent of publicans recommend other pubs try one. 2000. Access date: 8 August 2001. www.ash.org.uk/html/press/000720.html
Location: North East England, UK
Type of policy examined: Smoke-free areas in pubs, restaurants, cafes, hotels, cinemas and theatres
Publisher: Report by the Newcastle University Department of Epidemiology and Public Health for North East Against Tobacco (NEAT)
Funding source indicated: NEAT
Nature of relationship with tobacco industry: Funding source other than tobacco industry Description: Proprietors opinions of impact on business
Findings: 25 per cent of businesses reported a boost in trade, majority a neutral effect. In pubs 58 per cent reported an increase in trade.

Study 49
Author and year published: Parry et al, 2001 Reference: Parry J, Temperton H, Flanagan T, Gerhardt L. An evaluation of the introduction of "non-smoking" areas on trade and customer satisfaction in 11 public houses in Staffordshire. Tobacco Control 2001;10; June 2001:199-200. Date policy implemented: 1999
Location: Staffordshire, UK
Type of policy examined: Smoke-free areas in pubs
Publisher: Tobacco Control
Funding source indicated: Staffordshire Smoke-free Alliance
Nature of relationship with tobacco industry: Funding source other than tobacco industry
Description: Sales at each pub and income before the intervention from landlords
Findings: Monthly sales for six pubs do not indicate adverse effects. One pub showed a 10 per cent increase on a similar period to last year.

Study 55
Author and year published: Yorkshire ASH, 2001
Reference: Yorkshire Ash. Popularity and impact on trade of smoke-free accommodation in the hospitality trade in Yorkshire; 2001.
Type of policy examined: Smoke-free restaurants and bars
Location: Yorkshire, UK
Publisher: Report by Yorkshire Ash Funding source indicated: Yorkshire Ash
Nature of relationship with tobacco industry: Funding source other than tobacco industry
Description: Proprietor estimates of effect on sales
Findings: Almost 2/3 (65 per cent) of respondents thought trade had increased as a result of the no-smoking policy, 29 per cent thought trade had increased 'a lot'. Only 5 per cent thought trade had decreased "a little", none thought it had decreased by 'a lot'. Eighteen out of 28 pubs (64 per cent) thought trade had increased as a result of providing smoke-free areas. None thought it had decreased.

Study 56
Author and year published: Economists Advisory Group Ltd, 1998
Reference: Economists Advisory Group Ltd. The potential economic impact of a smoking ban in restaurants: The Restaurant Association; September 1998.
Location: United Kingdom
Type of policy examined: Smoke-free restaurants
Publisher: Report by Economists Advisory Group Ltd for the Restaurant Association of Great Britain
Funding source indicated: No Funding Source Stated
Nature of relationship with tobacco industry: UK
Description: Proprietors estimates of effect on business and employee lay offs
Findings: 1 per cent thought turnover would increase by up to 20 per cent, 39 per cent believed there would be no change, 30 per cent thought there would be a decrease of up to 20 per cent, 24 per cent thought there would be a decrease by more than 20 per cent and 6 per cent didn't know. The questionnaire was sent to all 922 RAGB members and 351 responded, giving a response rate of 38 per cent.

Study 58
Author and year published: The Publican, 2001
Reference: The Publican Newspaper. Reading the smoke signals. Market Report 2001: Smoking 2001. 22.
Location: England
Type of policy examined: Smoke-free bars
Publisher: Media report, The Publican Newspaper, Quantum Business Media
Funding sources indicated: No Funding Source Stated
Nature of relationship with tobacco industry: UK. The Publican Newspaper supports the Atmosphere Improves Results (AIR) Initiative [The Publican Newspaper. Don't Delay - sign up today. 22 November 2001]. Market Report carries advertising. Survey questions are designed by an editorial board.
Description: Proprietor estimates of loss of trade
Findings: On average pubs would lose around 41 per cent of their custom if they were forced to ban smokers.

Summary of studies assessing the economic impact of smoke-free policies in the hospitality industry - includes studies produced to December 2002. Review of the evidence, VicHealth Centre for Tobacco Control.

Full report [pdf format]

VicHealth Centre for Tobacco Control