Public Health Scene

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 our Public Health Moment podcast