Hotels slam study
Jump to full article: Brisbane (QLD) Times (au), 2008-07-08
Author: Shannon Molloy
Intro: An international study showing smoking bans in restaurants, bars and nightclubs have no financial impact on businesses is flawed, according to a Queensland industry group.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) released a report today and found public smoking bans are effective and largely pain-free, after examining more than 900 studies and government research.
The group concluded that smoke-free policies implemented in bars and restaurants have no impact on business activity.
The results are in contrast to Queensland Hotels Association figures, which show an average seven per cent downturn in revenue during 2006 - the first year of smoking bans in Queensland.
Association chief executive Justin O'Connor said businesses had struggled financially as a direct result of smoking bans.
Jump to full article » |