Research Anticipates a Healthy Boost for Local Smoke-free Restaurants

Publication Date: 2005-03-31

• Author:Minnesota Partnership for Action Against Tobacco
• Publication:PR Newswire

Ninety-three percent of Minnesotans said they would eat out more often or the same amount if there were a total restaurant smoking ban. Seventy-six percent prefer non-smoking seating in restaurants, including 24 percent of current smokers. This is good news for restaurant and bar owners in Twin Cities communities that will implement smoke-free ordinances on March 31 and for other dining establishments around the state that prohibit smoking.

These findings are among the results of the latest Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey (MATS), "Secondhand Smoke in Minnesota, 1999-2003."