[cinFLA]

Smoke ban boost for restaurant business
Source: Adelaide (SA) Advertiser (au), 2002-08-11

Intro:
CONTROVERSIAL plans to ban smoking in pubs and clubs have received a boost from a study that shows a similar ban in restaurants actually boosted trade.

The landmark study, to be released tomorrow, investigated the effect of the 1999 smoke-free law on restaurant business in South Australia.

It found the ban reversed a downward trend in restaurant trade.

The average monthly turnover of the State's restaurants increased from $29,850,000 before the ban to $31,256,000 in the period after the law was introduced.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics data was in part produced by the Anti-Cancer Foundation of SA.

Before the introduction of the smoking ban the hospitality industry argued business would be lost because of a smokers' boycott.

However, Quit SA manager Andrew Ellerman said the ban had encouraged more non-smokers to dine out, resulting in the increase in restaurant turnover.

He said the big challenge was now for pubs, clubs and gaming venues to become smoke-free.

[CSM]

"The average monthly turnover of the State's restaurants increased from $29,850,000 before the ban to $31,256,000 in the period after the law was introduced."

What is the margin on the 2nd number compared to the margin on the first? We don't know. We will never know.

[Gabz]

Source of study, please...........