Media Release

FOR: Embargoed for release 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 25, 1999
DATE: May 25, 1999
CONTACT: Carol Hall-Walker, Project ASSIST, RI Dept. of Health 222-1394, ext 145

Health Department Lauds Study Showing
Smoke-Free Restaurants Good for Tourism

A major new study of the effect of smoking bans in restaurants shows not only that tourism doesn't decrease, but may actually improve.

Dr. Patricia A. Nolan, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, cited the study, appearing in the May 26 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association, as good news for Rhode Island, where tourism is the second biggest business. "This study is further proof that banning smoking in restaurants is good for business as well as for public health," said Dr. Nolan. "Rhode Island's hospitality industry must pay attention to these important findings, for the sake of their customers and their own businesses."

Stanton A. Glantz, Ph.D., and Annemarie Charlesworth, M.A., of the University of California, San Francisco, examined tourism rates in three states and six cities with laws requiring restaurants to be 100 percent smoke-free. The authors concluded: "This study debunks the tobacco industry allegation that smoke-free restaurant laws adversely affect tourism, including international tourism…Indeed, these ordinances may even be beneficial for business."

"These are not new findings. As a business issue, smoke free restaurants is positive--not problematic." said Sara Conklin, a teenage, smoke-free restaurant advocate from Barrington, Rhode Island. "But it's primarily a health issue. People in our state want to breathe clean air."

A copy of the American Medical Association announcement of study findings is included with this notice. The media are alerted to the fact that the study authors are available for telephone and talk-show interviews. Arrangements may be made through Carol Hall-Walker, at the Dept. of Health, at 222-1394, ext 145.

For speech or hearing impaired, 1-800-745-5555 (TTY)
Department of Health Website: www.health.state.ri.us