A Smoke Free Mon County is Good for Business

An argument that smoke-free opponents are now using is that passing a clean indoor air regulation will hurt businesses. We've read in the paper that going smoke-free is going to drive customers into adjoining states, put bar owners into bankruptcy and raise unemployment. Quite frankly, we're about as sick of hearing these lies as we are of breathing smoke.

When the first clean air regulation was enacted, nobody could dispute these claims because nobody really knew what would happen. Today there is overwhelming scientific evidence that going smoke-free has no negative economic effects in communities worldwide.

Please explore the evidence for yourself. Some of the actual studies are linked in the references sections of these documents.

In addition to the possibility of actually increasing sales, going smoke-free has been shown to have other positive impacts on business: a healthier workforce with less absenteeism, reduced maintenance and housekeeping costs, and less damage to property and furnishings. Smoke-free establishments may also be able to negotiate lower insurance rates.

We have heard the opposition's arguments, put forth by many of the same people, in our very community twice before -- when the original clean indoor air regulation was passed and again when the law was tightened in 1999. Nobody did any scientific research, but just ask yourself this question: Is there any evidence to suggest that our current clean indoor air laws have hurt Morgantown's economy? Think about it. We submit that our anecdotal and scientific evidence is much better than anything the opposition has to offer.

Breathing smoke-free air is good for customers, workers and business owners, too. That's the real bottom line.