PRESS RELEASE

The Economic Impact of Smoke-Free Workplaces: An Assessment for Nova Scotia

October 12, 2001 —Issued by the NS Health Department which commissioned this GPIAtlantic report.

Health -- A new study released today by GPIAtlantic sheds light on the economic impacts of smoke-free legislation and the health impacts of smoking in the workplace.

Health Minister Jamie Muir said the study is the beginning of what he hopes will be an open dialogue between government and business people in Nova Scotia. On Oct. 11, the minister announced his intention to introduce smoke-free public place and workplace legislation during the spring session of the legislature.

"I welcome the findings from this report, and I want to hear from the business people of Nova Scotia on their thoughts," said Mr. Muir. "As Nova Scotians we have to travel the road to a healthier lifestyle together. Any decisions need to be made with the most input possible."

The 116-page study is titled The Economic Impact of Smoke-Free Workplaces: An Assessment for Nova Scotia. It concludes that smoke-free workplace legislation would lower the province’s high smoking rate, cut cigarette consumption by 20 per cent, and save $200 million a year in avoided health costs and productivity losses.

The study, prepared by Ronald Colman, director of GPIAtlantic, is the first of its kind in Canada, and the first to comprehensively explore the issues of smoke-free workplace legislation and its impact on business owners. Mr. Colman examined every published study using sales tax data to analyze restaurant, bar, hotel and tourism receipts before and after smoke-free legislation came into effect in different parts of the U.S. and Canada.

"The concerns expressed by business owners that smoke-free legislation will adversely affect their sales are not supported by the overwhelming volume of data available," said Mr. Colman. "On the contrary, the evidence indicates that many restaurants, bars and hotels may see an increase in sales following smoke-free legislation."

In two areas, GPIAtlantic found some evidence of a decrease in sales during the first one to two months following the enactment of a smoke-free policy. However, no evidence indicated a financial decline over the longer term.

"Smokers appear to adjust quickly to the new rules," said Mr. Colman. "In addition, the large majority of non-smokers go out more often to eating and drinking establishments they previously avoided because of the smoky atmosphere."

The GPI study identifies Nova Scotians working in restaurants, bars and casinos as most at risk. Daily, restaurant workers are exposed to twice the amount of second-hand smoke as those Nova Scotians employed in offices without a smoking ban. Bar and casino workers are exposed to levels that are three to six times as high. Food service workers have a 50 per cent higher rate of lung cancer than the general population.

Second-hand smoke is the third largest cause of lung cancer, after direct smoking and occupational exposure to other hazardous substances. Up to one-quarter of lung cancer deaths in non-smokers are related to second-hand smoke. One-quarter of Nova Scotians are exposed to second-hand smoke at work, and 23 per cent of Nova Scotians report health problems as a result of exposure to second-hand smoke. Smoking kills 1,650 Nova Scotians each year. Second-hand smoke currently kills about 200 Nova Scotians each year.

A copy of GPIAtlantic’s report is available on the Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/health.