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Bars And Businesses Not Impacted By Smoking Ban
By: Associated Press
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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.