BEHAVIOR INTENTIONS OF THE PUBLIC AFTER BANS ON SMOKING IN RESTAURANTS AND BARS

Objectives. This study assessed the potential effect of smoke-free pol icies on bar and restaurant patronage, Methods. Random-digit dialing t echniques were used in surveying a representative sample of Massachuse tts adults (n = 2356) by telephone. Results. Approximately 61% of the respondents predicted no change in their use of restaurants in respons e to smoke-free policies, 30% predicted increased use, and 8% predicte d decreased use; In turn, 69% of the respondents predicted no change i n their patronage of bars, while 20% predicted increased use and 11% p redicted decreased use. Conclusions. These results suggest that smoke- free policies are likely to increase overall patronage of bars and res taurants.