Madison,
WI –As the state legislature considers smoke free legislation to
protect public health, WISPIRG released a new report confirming smoke
free policies have accomplished that goal without harming local
economies. The report exposed that claims that smoke free air policies
are bad for business have been purported by Big Tobacco and their
allies, and not based on reality, as evidenced by a vast library of
independent, peer-reviewed scientific studies. Building on previous
studies, WISPIRG’s report also includes new empirical data from Madison
and Appleton, finding a positive economic impact on the hospitality
industry.
The
new report, Smoke and Mirrors: Tobacco Industry Claims Unfounded, found
that requests for liquor licenses in Madison and Appleton has increased
since the implementation of the smoke free ordinance in those
communities with 365 licensed liquor establishments in Madison in
January 2008 compared to 332 in July 2005 before the ordinance, and for
the first time ever in Appleton there is a continuous waiting list for
Class B liquor licenses with 8 currently on the waiting list. The
average assessed property value in business districts in both
communities has increased since implementation. In addition, the report
summarizes findings from nine peer-reviewed scientific studies that
were selected for their geographic and demographic diversity to help
demonstrate similar conclusions have been made in different
communities.
“Smoke-filled
bars and restaurants are a serious public health threat. There is
overwhelming public support for action,” said Bruce Speight, WISPIRG
Public Interest Advocate. ‘It’s no surprise that Big Tobacco and its
allies are trying to scare us with tales of economic ruin. This report
shows that we can have smoke free bars and a healthy economy.”
In
addition to empirical data from Madison and Appleton, the report
collects data from peer-reviewed scientific studies conducted on the
economic impacts of smoke free policies in municipalities in Minnesota;
Lexington, Kentucky; New York City; El Paso, Texas; and statewide
policies in Massachusetts and California. Furthermore, as questions
have arisen about the consistency of economic impacts among different
types of communities, the report examined studies that reviewed impacts
in rural and in smaller, less urban communities such as counties in
California and West Lake Hills, Texas with a population of 3,000 at the
time of the study. Regardless of the variables, the outcomes were
consistent: smoke free policies either had a neutral or positive
economic impact.
Conversely,
a 2003 report by Dr. Michelle Scollo and her colleagues at the Centre
for Tobacco Control found that every single study claiming a negative
economic impact was supported by the tobacco industry. The study
concluded that “all of the best designed studies report no impact or a
positive impact of smoke-free restaurant and bar laws on sales or
employment. Policymakers can act to protect workers and patrons from
the toxins in secondhand smoke confident in rejecting industry claims
that there will be an adverse economic impact.”
“You’ve
never seen anyone fight the smoking ban as hard as me, but I was
wrong,” said Chad Vandaalwyk, Owner of The 10th Frame Bowling and
Spirits in Appleton, WI. “It’s great for business – good for customers,
even better for employees.”
Secondhand
smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in America. As
U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona concluded in a 2006 report, there
is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
Secondhand
smoke contains 69 different chemicals that cause cancer. Nationwide,
secondhand smoke kills at least 53,000 nonsmokers a year, including
3,000 lung cancer deaths and 35,000 coronary heart disease deaths.
Exposure to secondhand smoke is associated with an increased risk for
respiratory infections, asthma, and lower chronic ear infections, and
lung cancer, nasal sinus cancer, heart disease, stroke and asthma among
adults.
The
Breathe Free Air Bill has broad bi-partisan support in both the Senate
and the Assembly, and Governor Doyle has been a strong advocate for the
bill. A Senate committee passed a slightly revised version of this bill
(SB150), which was a compromise, in January. An Assembly version of the
bill (AB834) was introduced last week, and is scheduled for a public
hearing before the Assembly Public Health Committee tomorrow.
"I
think it's unfortunate this proposal has stalled in the Senate",
Representative J.A. Hines said. "I'm hopeful it can gain some momentum
in the Assembly in the time we have left."
“WISPIRG
applauds Representatives Wieckert, Richards, and Gottlieb, Senators
Risser and Roessler, and the bi-partisan legislators that are standing
up for public health and supporting the Breathe Free Air Bill
(SB150/AB834),” continued Speight. “With Illinois having gone smoke
free on New Year’s Day and Minnesota last year and Iowa on its way to
adopting a smoke-free policy, Wisconsin should not fall behind our
neighbors and the rest of the country in protecting public health from
secondhand smoke.”
Read the Report.
