Public Health Moment

Smoking bans do not cause economic harm to bars and restaurants. That's according to a study led by epidemiologist Jean Forster from the University of Minnesota.

Forster and colleagues used state-mandated reporting data from 10 Minnesota cities for the years 2003 to 2006. That was before the introduction of a statewide smoking ban, but at a time when a number of local cities had adopted their own full or partial bans.

Forster says that smoking bans are an effective way to protect people--especially bar and restaurant employees--from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.

• Listen to Forster on Public Health Moment