OSU Study: Smoking Ban Does Not Kill Jobs

Bar Owner Says Ban Still Hurting

By: Patrick Preston | NBC4i.com
Published: July 11, 2010
Updated: July 12, 2010 - 8:48 AM

COLUMBUS, Ohio --

Are smoking bans the kiss of death for local bars? The answer may depend on who you ask.

A study by Ohio State University behavioral researcher and professor Liz Klein found that in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn., bars did not drop jobs when local smoking bans went into effect.

Klein studied monthly employment data for bars to see if the bans on smoking resulted in layoffs or bar closures.

"When we looked at bars and restaurants separately, we simply aren't seeing catastrophic effects," Klein said. "There were really no significant changes in employment for bars or restaurants. And, in fact, restaurants fared a little better."

In Grove City, Parker's Tavern owner Pam Parker said the study misses the apparent effect of Ohio's smoking began, which the state began enforcing in May 2007.

"It's hurt us -- it's hurt us bad," Parker said.

Parker argues that alcohol sales and revenue are better indicators of the pain bars are feeling in the aftermath of a smoking ban. She criticized Klein's study as missing another key indication of trouble.

"It doesn't take into consideration the fact that people reduce their hours to make up for some of the losses. We work 35 hours less a week now. We still have same number of employees," Parker said.

With revenue down, Parker's Tavern employees are earning less money. Klein said she would like to study individual bars' revenue totals but the information is not as accessible as jobs numbers tallied by states.

"Generally, businesses don't want to share their individual profitability data so it's pretty difficult information to get," Klein said.

Parker also takes issues with the funding source for the study, a grant from Clearway Minnesota, a nonprofit organization focused on reducing tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure.

Parker contends that Clearway's financial involvement taints the credibility the study's results in the same fashion that a study funded by cigarette companies would damage credibility.

Klein insisted her research was performed independently from Clearway and their funding posed no conflict of interest.

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