ASH Ireland Welcomes Positive Smoke Signals from New York

Date: 12 July 2004

A recent analysis conducted by the City of New York one year on from the introduction of the smoking ban is all positive. In the context of economics and health safety, this is a most welcome report, which has been published jointly by New York Finance, Health, Small Businesses and Economic Development Departments.

Valerie Coghlan of ASH Ireland said today, “In the opening page of the New York Report, we read, ‘One year later, the data are clear. The City’s bar and restaurant industry is thriving and its workers are breathing cleaner safer air’. Perhaps we will not have such a significant shift here in economic terms – as our drinks industry has shown a decrease trend prior to the ban which is most likely related to price – and has little to do with clean air. We will, of course, have similar health benefits to those established in New York – and the reduction of 85% in cotinine levels found in New York’s bar workers is quite remarkable.

Interestingly the compliance levels established in New York, at 97% corresponds precisely to recent research conducted in Ireland.

• ASH Ireland believes it is worth highlighting all of the main finds of the New York Report:
  
• Business and tax receipts in restaurants and bars are up 8.7%.
  
• Employment in restaurants and bans has increased by 10,600 jobs – or about 2,800 seriously adjusted jobs since the laws enactment.
  
• 97% of restaurants and bars are smokefree
  
• New Yorkers overwhelmingly support the law
  
• Air quality in bars and restaurants has improved dramatically
  
• Levels of cotinine, a product of tobacco, decreased by 85% in non-smoking workers in bars and restaurants.
  
• 150,000 general New Yorkers are exposed to secondary hand smoke.

Valerie Coghlan went on to say, “Perhaps we should focus a little more on the fact that we have 97% compliance with this health legislation. Publicity stunts prove very little – but this report from New Yorkers demonstrates how important our legislation can be – despite the occasional high profile protest. When the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed that passive smoke constituted a class one carcinogen – responsible Governments have acted to protect workers. I predict that similar legislation will follow the U.S. and Irish initiatives in the coming years – in most EU countries.”