Cyprus: Smoking Ban Has Been Good for Business

Source from:  Cyprus Mail (cy)  12/19/2012

THE IMPLEMENTATION of the smoking ban nearly three years ago has had no adverse economic effect on profits in the catering and tourist industries, according to a study by the Technological University of Cyprus (TEPAK).

The full details of the research will be announced next week, but preliminary data released yesterday indicate that the smoking ban, imposed in January 2010, has actually had a slight positive influence on turnover.

The econometric study used anonymous data gathered from the VAT office provided by the ministry of finance, to make statistical comparisons before and after the law was passed. Data was taken from active hotels, restaurants, cafes, coffee shops and pubs from the start of 2005 until the end of 2011. Information was also used relating to factors that affect those specific businesses, like tourism, unemployment, growth and inflation.

The study, which was carried out in co-operation with the Institute of Biomedical Sciences, the South-Eastern European Research Centre and the Cyprus Tourist Organisation (CTO), also looked at attitudes to the smoking ban within the catering and tourist industries.

Six hundred employees and employers from randomly selected businesses - restaurants, cafes, bars and hotels - from across Cyprus were chosen to take part in the study to show the different attitudes, perceptions and behaviour of owners and employees regarding active and passive smoking, exposure to tobacco smoke and the new anti-smoking laws.

Of those chosen, 410 were men and 190 were women, 40 per cent were owners of the businesses, 47 per cent permanent employees, nine per cent seasonal employees and the remaining four per cent, partners.

Approximately 35 per cent of the participants were regular smokers, nine per cent casual smokers and 19 per cent former smokers.

Before the anti-smoking law was passed, 52 per cent of businesses allowed smoking anywhere on the premises while only seven per cent had a complete ban. After the law was passed, only 4.5 per cent continued to allow smoking in all areas while the complete ban rose to almost 50 per cent. From the businesses that were checked, only around 10 per cent said they had paid a fine for flouting the law.

Almost 80 per cent of participants said they agreed with the law as it protects the employees in the catering and tourist industry. 75 per cent believe it contributes to a cleaner and happier environment and 87 per cent believe it protects non-smokers' rights.

The full results of the survey will be announced at a conference at the Shacoleio Amphitheatre on Thursday, December 27 from 4pm-8pm. The programme was funded by the Cyprus government and the European Regional Development Fund through the Research Promotion Foundation.

The main speaker at the conference will be Dr Joseph Difranza, a distinguished professor from the University of Massachusetts, who has pioneered studies relating to the development of nicotine addiction on adolescents. He will also present the latest results of his studies on this subject. Enditem