Tobacco Control Program

There are many benefits to going smokefree. Some of the benefits, highlighted below, were abstracted from a valuable resource for employees, and restaurant and bar owners, which includes frequently asked questions, created by Jack Lohman, Wisconsin Initiative on Smoking and Health. The complete document, titled “Smoke Free Restaurants Profits or Peril?” may be accessed here.

Benefits of smokefree establishments:

• Nonsmokers do not linger for coffee refills and that after-dinner cigarette.
• Patron turnover is faster.  
• Nonsmokers will more frequently stay to enjoy desert or an after-dinner drink.
• While waiting for a table, nonsmokers will enjoy an extra drink in the bar (thus replacing any bar business you might lose).
• Nonsmokers will not get angry and walk out because of delays getting a smoke-free table.
• No more lost or broken ashtrays.
• Cigarette burns on furniture and carpets are eliminated.
• Curtains, walls, floors and upholstery need fewer cleanings and replacements.
• Reservations and seating are simplified with only one class of seating, and no single employee feels shortchanged by his/her table assignment. 
• Empty tables in the smoking section will be a thing of the past.
• Restaurants do not become teenage smoking dens or hangouts.
• Employee absenteeism is reduced, and employee productivity is increased. 
• A substantial increase in the employee labor pool is seen.
• Patron and employee liability risks are reduced.
• Patrons will be much happier, and they will dine out more frequently as a result (generally 36% more).  
• The risks of a devastating fire are substantially reduced, likely reducing insurance premiums. (14.2% of restaurant fires are caused by smoking, per National Fire Prevention Association).