Perceptions of the effect of an impending restaurant smoking ban on dining-out experience.
BACKGROUND
The introduction of bans on smoking in restaurants is frequently marred by claims that they will lead to a loss of business.


METHODS
A representative sample of 3,019 South Australians age 15+ years were asked questions about dining-out frequency and perceived effects of the ban on their dining-out enjoyment and restaurant patronage.


RESULTS
Sixty-one percent thought the ban would make dining out more enjoyable, 5% thought it would be less enjoyable, and 34% thought it would make no difference. Overall, 82% thought the ban would make no difference to their likelihood of dining out, 14% would be more likely to dine out, and 4% would be less likely.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that the public expects bans on smoking in restaurants to result in both increased enjoyment and increased patronage of restaurants.
Wakefield
M
M
Health Research and Policy Centers, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, 60607, USA.
Roberts
L
L
Miller
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003132:Commerce / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006291:Health Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012147:Restaurants / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012907:Smoking / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D013021:South Australia; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution