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How is the Economy Affected by a Smoking Ban?

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There is a lot of debate about the economic effects of smoke-free laws. For instance, if a restaurant in a ban community is closed, how will the economy of that community be affected?

The tobacco industry has tried to make the case that a smoking ban is bad for the economy. But the tobacco industry’s main argument is flawed. It assumes two phenomena, neither of which is true.

The first myth focuses on the tobacco industry’s employment. This myth is designed to discourage tobacco control policies.

The second myth relates to non-tobacco industries. Another myth states that smoke-free policies will harm these industries. However, the facts show that tobacco control policy has a positive impact on the economy.

As with other types of public health policies, the economy has to be carefully studied. Policies should be based on evidence from public health professionals and economists.

Some economists are of the opinion that economic costs of smoke-free laws are hard to determine. Others point to new research, which has discovered significant findings. These discoveries have challenged many earlier findings.

Most economists see smoking costs as private costs. However, this approach does not consider the fact that some businesses are affected by these policies.

Tobacco companies have aggressively entered foreign markets, and will benefit from any gains in these countries. This is a function of the emergence of consumer income in these countries to support western cigarettes. In other words, the profits from the global industry would fall if a proportionate decline in consumption were to exceed the tax rate.

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