170973 Effect of smoke-free policies on sales turnover in Tasmanian bars

Monday, October 27, 2008

Mohammad Siahpush, PhD , Health Promotion, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
Anita Lal, MPH , VicHealth Center for Tobacco Control, The Cancer Council Victoria, Carlton, Australia
Aim: Tasmania was the first state in Australia to introduce smoke-free laws in bars, pubs and licensed clubs on 1 January 2006. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the smoke-free law on sales turnover in Tasmanian bars.

Methods: Data on pub, bar, tavern and licensed club sales turnover for the period January 2001 to March 2007 were obtained from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Two outcomes were employed: ratio of monthly turnover for pubs, taverns, bars and clubs in Tasmania to monthly turnover for pubs, taverns, bars and clubs in Victoria; ratio of monthly turnover for pubs, taverns, bars and clubs to total monthly retail turnover (minus pubs, taverns, bars and clubs turnover) in Tasmania.

Results: Linear regression analysis showed that the introduction of smoke free legislation had no effect on either outcome.

Conclusion: Bar owners and government policymakers should be reassured that they can adopt and maintain smoke-free legislation to protect worker and patrons from exposure to second-hand smoke in bars without fear of adverse effects on patronage

Learning Objectives:
Participants will learn about the effect of smoking-free policies in bars on sales turnover in Tasmania, Australia. Participants likely will be able to develop their own analysis plan to assess the impact of policy interventions. The presentation will provide empirical evidence in support of smoke-free policies in public places.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have participated substantially in the conception, data analysis, and writing of the paper.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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