THE EFFECT OF ORDINANCES REQUIRING SMOKE-FREE RESTAURANTS ON RESTAURANT SALES

Objectives. The effect on restaurant revenues of local ordinances requ iring smoke-free restaurants is an important consideration for restaur ateurs themselves and the cities that depend on sales tax revenues to provide services, Methods. Data were obtained from the California Stat e Board of Equalization and Colorado State Department of Revenue on ta xable restaurant sales from 1986 (1982 for Aspen)through 1993 for all 15 cities where ordinances were in force, as well as for 15 similar co ntrol communities without smoke-free ordinances during this period. Th ese data were analyzed using multiple regression, including time and a dummy variable for whether an ordinance was in force. Total restauran t sales were analyzed as a fraction of total retail sales and restaura nt sales in smoke-free cities vs the comparison cities similar in popu lation, median income,and other factors. Results. Ordinances had no si gnificant effect on the fraction of total retail:sales that went to re staurants or on the ratio of restaurant sales in communities with ordi nances compared-with those in the matched control Communities. Conclus ions. Smoke-free restaurant ordinances do not adversely affect restaur ant sales.