Posted on 07/31/2008 10:27:22 AM PDT by InvisibleChurch
In recent years, state and local governments across the United States have passed measures to outlaw smoking in bars, says the American. The public health rationale is simple: to protect bar patrons and employees from exposure to secondhand smoke.
But according to economists Scott Adams of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Chad Cotti of the University of South Carolina, smoking bans have had some unintended and deadly consequences. Specifically, they have led to an increase in drunk-driving fatalities.
The economists studied a variety of municipalities that passed smoking bans. According to their research:
The passage of the bans led to a significant increase in the danger posed by drunk drivers. Fatal accidents involving a drunk driver increase by about 13 percent; this is approximately 2.5 fatal accidents a year for a typical county. The evidence is consistent with two mechanisms -- smokers searching for alternative locations to drink and smokers driving to nearby jurisdictions that allow smoking in bars, say Adams and Cotti.
Adams says smoking bans should still be supported, because the health benefits still outweigh the health costs. Cotti recommends that smoke-free communities increase DUI enforcement measures to provide drivers with appropriate disincentives.
Source: "Smoke and (Broken) Mirrors," The American, July/August 2008; based upon: Scott Adams and Chad Cotti, "The Effect of Smoking Bans on Bars and Restaurants: An Analysis of Changes in Employment," University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee/university of South Carolina, 2007.
For study:
http://ideas.repec.org/a/bep/eapcon/v7y2007i1p1628-1628.html
For more on Regulatory Issues:
http://www.ncpa.org/sub/dpd/index.php?Article_Category=38
The smoking bans are the initial cause of smokers going farther afield to be able to have a smoke with their drink.
This does not excuse anyone for drinking and driving, but the explanation is quite clear.
I guess that mugging is preferable to a fender-bender, but you could still get a ticket.
“That appears to be exactly what the author of the study is saying.”
Guess the only thing to do is ban smoking right?
No, but it would be nice if these smokers in question did not elect to drive around town looking for a bar and endanger other people’s lives simply so that they can find a place to drink and smoke.
The only thing to do is close all the bars. End of problem.
To be truthful, most, not all but most, nonsmokers, when they are going into a bar to have a few drinks, really don't care whether smoking is allowed or not.
Nonsmokers won't usually go driving to find a nonsmoking bar.
If I were king of the world drivers would be punished for failing to maintain safe control of their vehicle at all times and there would be no such thing as a breathalyzer.
The entire field of DUI is built around the idea that why you didn’t stop in time is more important than that you didn’t stop in time. As if injuring other people because you were fooling with the radio or watching a woman jogging is somehow OK.
Lets not forget about the increased amounts of cigarette butts in outside of bars. Its been a real headache her in Washington, where smoking was outlawed in all public buildings, except for Indian Casinos, jails, and Prisons.
And there is a lesson for you. Want to smoke inside? - Get arrested.
When Mayor Bloomers instituted his smoking ban for NY he said, not so jokingly, that people would be drinking more.
As tho that was a good thing.
it prolly is for nyc. considering there’s mass transit to transport inebriated patrons, which many utilize, there’s probably no noticable increase in DUIs.
more drinking means more taxes, higher revenues for bars, distributers, bottlers, merchants, etc. plus the added benefit of easier pickings for muggers.
Pretty pathetic, isn't it?
If 23/27% of adults smoke, give 23/27% local tavern and saloon owners at least the option of having a smoking section. They 'll never do it because they are minor league bullies without the brown shirts and common sense, manners and courtesy mean nothing to them. They'd rather take the 2.5 extra deaths per county (How many counties are there?) than admit they can't pound a certain number of people into their imagined utopia.
I hate their hypocrisy and the smug assumption of superiority.
And more votes for democrats.
No, blame the evil scum over at Enemy Central and the zoning ordinances that keep a friendly tavern owner from opening a decent bar in the 'burbs.
You and me both my friend.
Couple that with their contempt for private property rights and ...
L
bookmark
What? And encourage a whole NEW crop of 'Kennedy Rum Runners?' I think not! ;)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.