Media Advisory – McGuinty Government Smoking Ban (Bill 164) Will Result in Job and Business Loss in Ontario’s Largest Employment Sector?
???
Government Data Shows Smoking Bans Devastate Bar Industry Reports Leading Economist
??
TORONTO, April 19 /CNW/ – Confirming the worst fears of Canada’s
hospitality industry The Fair Air Association of Canada (FAAC) and The Pub and
Bar Coalition of Canada (PUBCO) released the most comprehensive economic
analysis yet done on the impact of complete smoking bans on bars and pubs.
??? The economic impact study offers definitive proof that smoking bans, like
the McGuinty government Bill 164, will lead to widespread devastation
throughout one of Canada’s largest employment sectors – the hospitality
industry – in communities across the Province.
??? The study shows smoking bans in several Ontario cities have had a real
and dramatic impact on revenue. Bar and pub sales were reduced: 23.5% in
Ottawa, 18.7% in London, 24.3% in Kingston and 20.4% in Kitchener.
??? The study was conducted by Michael Evans, Ph. D., one of North America’s
leading economists and a former advisor to the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), NASA, U.S. Senate Finance Committee and the U.S. Treasury. Dr. Evans
was also a Professor of Economics at the Kellogg Graduate School of
Management. The world-renowned economist used Ontario Ministry of Finance
sales and tax receipts data between 2000 and 2003 to ensure the veracity of
his report. The study has been verified by Wade Cook, Ph. D, Associate Dean of
Research, Schulich School of Business.
??? Prof. Evans concluded, “Government data clearly demonstrates smoking bans
materially reduce sales in bars and nightclubs. The evidence is quite clear.
To suggest that smoking bans don’t have a dramatic negative impact on bar
sales would be an opinion – not fact.”
??? “While we do agree that smoking has health risks associated with it, we
believe that adults should be free to exercise their choice to smoke so long
as there are separate, properly ventilated rooms,” said Karen Bodirsky, CEO of
the FAAC. “The Province’s hospitality industry and its 491,000 employees need
amendments to Bill 164 for the provision of separate ventilated smoking
rooms,” added Edgar Mitchell, Chair of PUBCO.
??? The results not only bring grim news to bars and pubs but also to
community organizations. “This study shows the devastating impact the
government’s legislation will have on bars but other sectors are threatened
too. A province-wide ban will have a negative impact on Legion Halls and
charity bingos when the ban is fully in place,” stated Bodirsky.
??? Bodirsky and Mitchell also called on the McGuinty government to conduct
an economic impact study of their own and release the results publicly of the
economic effects of a full smoking ban on Ontario’s hospitality industry
before the government passes and implements Bill 164.
??? The study results echoed reports from other jurisdictions facing smoking
bans.
??? “We know a smoking ban will have a devastating impact on Newfoundland and
Labrador’s hospitality industry. Ontario’s economic impact study is further
proof of why the government of Newfoundland and Labrador should choose
ventilation over outright bans,” noted Marcel Etheridge, President of the
Beverage Industry Association of Newfoundland. “The same 18 to 25% drop in
business that was seen in Ontario’s smoke-free communities will be seen in
communities across Newfoundland and Labrador and will have the same results:
lay offs and business closures.”
??? “There is no doubt that people are losing businesses that were popular
local spots in Saskatchewan communities for 20 years or more. Once the
provincial smoking ban came in, business dried up and the lay offs started.
It’s a very tough thing for our local hotel owners to do because they’ve known
these people for years and still see them every day in the community,” said
Tom Mullin, President & CEO, Hotels Association of Saskatchewan.
??? Sheree Davies, Chair of Central Alberta Businesses for Choice stated that
“The smoking ban will really have an effect in my surrounding communities. The
old spots many of the locals meet at to chat will no longer be around. It’s
really sad to think about the nature of our local communities changing so
dramatically.”
FULL REPORT available at: http://www.pubcoalition.com/
??? The Fair Air Association of Canada (FAAC) is a diverse group of
organizations, businesses and individuals committed to the promotion of sound
ventilation science and support of the hospitality industry. Find out more
about the FAAC and ventilation solutions at www.faac.ca or call 416-214-2737 /
416-648-4325.
??? Founded in 2001, the Pub and Bar Coalition is a not-for-profit
organization committed to effectively representing and protecting the
interests of licensees in Ontario when issues arrive that could affect their
livelihoods. To find out more about PUBCO, go to www.pubcoalition.com or call
1-613-321-0603 or 1-866-314-2179.
For further information: please contact: Karen Bodirsky, CEO, Fair Air
Association of Canada, (416) 214-2737, (416) 648-4325; Regional Media
Contacts: Newfoundland: Wade Gravelle, Vice President, West Side Charlie’s,
Cell: (709) 682-1601; Gerry Connolly, Atlantic Star Satellite Bingo Hall,
Cell: (709) 682-7397; Marcel Ethridge, President, Beverage Industry
Association of Newfoundland, Cell: (709) 727-6999; Manitoba: Jim Baker,
President & CEO, Manitoba Hotel Association, (204) 942-0671; Saskatchewan:
Tom Mullin, President & CEO, Hotels Association of Saskatchewan,
(306) 522-1664; Alberta: Sheree Davies, Chair, Central Alberta Businesses for
Choice, (403) 357-0003; British Columbia: Doug Grant, General Manager, The
Royal Canadian Legion, Esquimalt Dockyard Branch No. 172, (250) 386-7635;
Quebec: Mr. Renaud Poulin, Corporation des propri?taires de bars, brasseries
et tavernes du Qu?bec (CPBBT), (450) 692-8443, cell. (514) 928-4757
Smoking Ban Hurting Business – Extensive Study Confirms
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April 19 2005
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Confirming the worst fears of Canada’s hospitality industry The Fair Air Association of Canada (FAAC) and The Pub and Bar Coalition of Canada (PUBCO) released the most comprehensive economic analysis yet done on the impact of complete smoking bans on bars and pubs.
The economic impact study offers definitive proof that smoking bans, like
the McGuinty government Bill 164, will lead to widespread devastation
throughout one of Canada’s largest employment sectors – the hospitality
industry – in communities across the Province.
The study shows smoking bans in several Ontario cities have had a real
and dramatic impact on revenue. Bar and pub sales were reduced: 23.5% in
Ottawa, 18.7% in London, 24.3% in Kingston and 20.4% in Kitchener.
The study was conducted by Michael Evans, Ph. D., one of North America’s
leading economists and a former advisor to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), NASA, U.S. Senate Finance Committee and the U.S. Treasury.
Dr. Evans was also a Professor of Economics at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management. The world-renowned economist used Ontario Ministry of Finance sales and tax receipts data between 2000 and 2003 to ensure the veracity of his report. The study has been verified by Wade Cook, Ph. D, Associate Dean of Research, Schulich School of Business.
Prof. Evans concluded, “Government data clearly demonstrates smoking bans
materially reduce sales in bars and nightclubs. The evidence is quite clear.
To suggest that smoking bans don’t have a dramatic negative impact on bar
sales would be an opinion – not fact.”
“While we do agree that smoking has health risks associated with it, we
believe that adults should be free to exercise their choice to smoke so long as there are separate, properly ventilated rooms,” said Karen Bodirsky, CEO of the FAAC. “The Province’s hospitality industry and its 491,000 employees need amendments to Bill 164 for the provision of separate ventilated smoking rooms,” added Edgar Mitchell, Chair of PUBCO.
The results not only bring grim news to bars and pubs but also to
community organizations. “This study shows the devastating impact the
government’s legislation will have on bars but other sectors are threatened too. A province-wide ban will have a negative impact on Legion Halls and charity bingos when the ban is fully in place,” stated Bodirsky.
Bodirsky and Mitchell also called on the McGuinty government to conduct
an economic impact study of their own and release the results publicly of the economic effects of a full smoking ban on Ontario’s hospitality industry before the government passes and implements Bill 164.
The study results echoed reports from other jurisdictions facing smoking
bans. “We know a smoking ban will have a devastating impact on Newfoundland and Labrador’s hospitality industry.
Ontario’s economic impact study is further proof of why the government of Newfoundland and Labrador should choose ventilation over outright bans,” noted Marcel Etheridge, President of the Beverage Industry Association of Newfoundland. “The same 18 to 25% drop in business that was seen in Ontario’s smoke-free communities will be seen in communities across Newfoundland and Labrador and will have the same results:
lay offs and business closures.”
“There is no doubt that people are losing businesses that were popular
local spots in Saskatchewan communities for 20 years or more. Once the
provincial smoking ban came in, business dried up and the lay offs started.
It’s a very tough thing for our local hotel owners to do because they’ve known these people for years and still see them every day in the community,” said Tom Mullin, President & CEO, Hotels Association of Saskatchewan.
Sheree Davies, Chair of Central Alberta Businesses for Choice stated that
“The smoking ban will really have an effect in my surrounding communities. The old spots many of the locals meet at to chat will no longer be around. It’s really sad to think about the nature of our local communities changing so dramatically.”
?
http://www.ltvnews.com
Smoking Bans Bankrupt Business and Destroys Jobs – New Groundbreaking Canadian Study by Leading U.S. Economist Uncovers the Truth
April 19, 2005
TORONTO, April 19 /PRNewswire/ – Confirming the worst fears of Ontario’s hospitality industry The Fair Air Association of Canada (FAAC) and The Pub and Bar Coalition of Canada (PUBCO) today released the most comprehensive economic analysis yet done on the impact of complete smoking bans on bars and pubs.
The study was conducted by Michael Evans, Ph. D., one of North America’s leading economists and a former advisor to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Treasury. Dr. Evans was also a Professor of Economics at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management. The world renowned economist used the Canadian government’s own internal sales and tax receipts data between 2000 and 2003 to ensure the veracity of his report.
The economic impact study proves irrefutably that full smoking bans in bars will lead to widespread devastation to Ontario’s largest employment sector, a sector that employs nearly 500,000 people. The study results have serious repercussions across Canada, as the nation’s other provinces have or are following suit with similar smoking bans in bars, pubs and nightclubs. In addition, the study has relevance in the United States as more and more states and municipalities legislate bans in bars, restaurants and nightclubs.
Verified findings concluded that smoking bans in several Ontario cities had a real and dramatic impact on revenue. Bar and pub sales were reduced: 23.5% in Ottawa, 18.7% in London, 24.3% in Kingston and 20.4% in Kitchener.
Professor Evans concludes that “Government data clearly demonstrates smoking bans materially reduce sales in bars and nightclubs. The evidence is quite clear. To suggest that smoking bans don’t have a dramatic negative impact on bar sales would be an opinion – not fact.”
The Fair Air Association of Canada (FAAC) is a diverse group of organizations, businesses and individuals committed to the promotion of sound ventilation science and support of the hospitality industry. Find out more about the FAAC and ventilation solutions at www.faac.ca or call 416-214-2737/ 416-648-4325.
PUBCO was founded in 2001, the Pub and Bar Coalition is a not-for-profit organization committed to effectively representing and protecting the interests of licensees in the province of Ontario when issues arrive that could affect their livelihoods. To find out more about PUBCO, go to www.pubcoalition.com or call 1-613-321-0603 or 1-866-314-2179.
http://biz.yahoo.com/
Media Advisory – McGuinty Government Smoking Ban (Bill 164) Will Result in Job and Business Loss in Ontario’s Largest Employment Sector?
? TORONTO, April 15 /CNW/ – Next week, Karen Bodirsky of the The Fair Air
Association of Canada (FAAC) and Edgar Mitchell of the Pub and Bar Coalition
of Canada (PUBCO) will release the most extensive study to date detailing the
economic impact of the impending McGuinty government’s smoking ban (Bill 164).
??? The peer reviewed study based on actual Ontario Ministry of Finance data
is clear, direct and irrefutable.
??? Details will be available early next week on the date, location and time
of the press conference.
??? The Fair Air Association of Canada (FAAC) is a diverse group of
organizations, businesses and individuals committed to the promotion of sound
ventilation science and support of the hospitality industry. Find out more
about the FAAC and ventilation solutions at http://www.faac.ca.
??? Founded in 2001, the Pub and Bar Coalition of Canada is a not-for-profit
organization committed to effectively representing and protecting the
interests of licensees in the province of Ontario when issues arrive that
could affect their livelihoods. To find out more about PUBCO, go to
www.pubcoalition.com or call 613 321-0603 or 1-866-314-2179.
For further information: Karen Bodirsky, CEO, Fair Air Association of
Canada, (416) 214-2737, (416) 648-4325
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2005/15/c5879.html
Activists dismiss smoking ban report
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Keith Leslie
Canadian Press
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
TORONTO — Anti-smoking activists dismissed as ”silly” a study released Tuesday that predicted ”widespread devastation” in Ontario’s hospitality industry if the Liberal government’s proposed provincewide ban on smoking becomes law.
The study, conducted for the Fair Air Association of Canada and the Pub and Bar Coalition, found that local smoking bans cut bar sales by 23.5 per cent in Ottawa, 18.7 per cent in London, 24.3 per cent in Kingston and 20.4 per cent in Kitchener.
”To suggest that smoking bans don’t have a dramatic negative impact on bar sales would be an opinion – not fact,” said study author Michael Evans, an economist and former advisor to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Treasury.
”Bar and pub owners across the country have told us, over and over again, that there is a huge economic impact from smoking bans,” said Fair Air chief executive Karen Bodirsky.
”They lose employees, they lose their businesses.”
But the statistics didn’t sway supporters of the government’s proposed anti-smoking legislation, who dismissed the credibility of both the study and its author.
”This whole enterprise is to me a tobacco industry-sponsored smokescreen,” said Michael Perley, director of the Ontario Campaign for Action on Tobacco.
Most Ontario towns and cities already have anti-smoking bylaws, and didn’t face any severe economic hardships when they were implemented, he noted.
”If there was going to be this ‘major devastation,’ it would have already happened, and it certainly has not happened,” Perley said. ”(This is), I think, the silliest thing they’re saying.”
Perley said both groups behind the study are ”related to the tobacco industry,” noting that Evans, the study’s author, was himself a ”long-time consultant” to the U.S.-based National Smokers’ Alliance.
”He did a number of studies for them in the 1990s along the same vein, which is to attack studies showing that there aren’t any negative impacts from smoke-free policies,” Perley said.
Evans said the study was based on data culled from Finance Ministry sales and tax receipts between 2000 and 2003, and was verified by an associate dean of research at York University’s Schulich School of Business.
But Perley said tobacco-funded studies rarely look at other economic circumstances such as the health costs to workers who become sick from second-hand smoke or the lower maintenance and insurance costs that result from smoke-free policies.
Ontario Health Minister George Smitherman said the study is typical of tobacco-industry tactics and is precisely the sort of thing jurisdictions that get aggressive in their anti-smoking strategies have to expect.
”I think it does demonstrate that the tobacco industry has a significant amount of money to continue to fuel studies of this nature,” Smitherman said.
”There’s no doubt that there are challenges associated with change, we all recognize this, but this is change that’s for the better for the people of Ontario – much needed.”
Four days of public hearings begin this week into the bill, which would outlaw smoking in all public and workplaces starting June 1, 2006. Health Minister George Smitherman has said the provincial legislation is needed to replace local anti-smoking initiatives that have too many exemptions and loopholes.
The hearings start Thursday in Toronto before moving on to Oshawa and Tillsonburg.
http://www.canada.com
Confidential Advice To Minister.
Potential Impact Of Smoke-Free Legislation.
Impact of Non-Smoking Legislation on Gaming Revenues
(Some information on these secret documents has been blacked out.)
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