Behavior intentions of the public after bans on smoking in restaurants and bars.

Abstract

This study assessed the potential effect of smoke-free policies on bar and restaurant patronage. Random-digit dialing techniques were used in surveying a representative sample of Massachusetts adults (n = 2356) by telephone. Approximately 61% of the respondents predicted no change in their use of restaurants in response to smoke-free policies, 30% predicted increased use, and 8% predicted decreased use. In turn, 69% of the respondents predicted no change in their patronage of bars, while 20% predicted increased use and 11% predicted decreased use. These results suggest that smoke-free policies are likely to increase overall patronage of bars and restaurants.