The effect of smoke-free policies on revenue in bars in Tasmania, Australia

Objective: To examine the impact of smoke-free policies on revenue in Tasmanian bars. Method: Monthly sales turnover from January 2002 to March 2007, provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics was analysed. There were two outcome measures: (1) the ratio of monthly bar sales turnover in Tasmania to monthly bar sales turnover in four other Australian states, and (2) the ratio of monthly bar turnover to monthly retail turnover in Tasmania. Linear regression was used to assess the impact of the smoke-free policy on expenditure. Results: The smoke-free policy had no effect on sales turnover. Conclusion: The smoke-free policy protects hospitality workers and patrons from exposure to secondhand smoke and has had no adverse effect on sales turnover.