In 2007 Tennessee enacted and implemented the Nonsmoker Protection Act (NSPA) to protect nonsmokers by creating 100% smoke-free restaurants. Several venues were exempted, including age-restricted ones such as bars, and tobacco regulation was preempted. Thus, the NSPA is not equitable smoke free policy (SFP) because it has left vast segments of nonsmokers such as employees and patrons of bars unprotected from second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure and thwarted any local initiative to pursue 100% comprehensive SFPs. While this predisposes these nonsmokers to the health dangers of SHS exposure, it makes the NSPA incompatible with the objectives of the Healthy People 2020 and 2030 as well as goals of the state health plan. In 2021, the American Lung Association graded the NSPA “C,” and the United Health Foundation ranked it 42nd out of 50 states.
This project assessed the effects of smoke-free venues across different economic domains through quantitative and qualitative data review to determine the implications for venues exempted by NSPA. By delineating any economic effects of SFP across several economic domains, the quantitative data gleaned from NAICS, Census Bureau, and Tennessee Dept. of Revenue were supplemented with interviews of establishments in Tennessee that voluntarily transitioned to smoke-free environment. A total of 7 such establishments with capacities ranging from 50 to over 69,000 people and number of employees ranging from 6 to over 1300 were interviewed. It was discovered that smoke-free environments have positive economic effects on restaurant establishments in Tennessee. By focusing on the SFP effect on restaurant establishments, the findings can be extrapolated to support the case for 100% smoke-free environments for other hospitality locations such as bars, music venues, and casinos. After analysis of trends for retail sales, number of establishments, employment, and payrolls by size of establishment and Metropolitan Statistical Area, a positive economic effect was identified for majority of these indicators between 2010 and 2019, a 10-year period following restaurants becoming smoke-free. Highlights include: Retail sales in Tennessee eating and drinking establishments increased by 62% The number of restaurant establishments increased by 16% Employment in the restaurant sector increased by 23%
The qualitative data from the interviews reinforces these findings, with 100% of respondents supporting smoke-free age-restricted venues in their local communities. Thus, it can be inferred from these Tennessee-specific data with high degree of confidence that other hospitality venues will benefit economically in some way by becoming smoke-free with the following considerations: Provide protections from SHS exposure and health risks to nonsmokers; Do not adversely affect sales or employment in the hospitality, entertainment or sport industries, including bars, hotels and motels, and restaurants; Have strong public support and compliance.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ETSU/oai:dc.etsu.edu:asrf-1917 |
| Date | 07 April 2022 |
| Creators | Minnick, Christen, MPH, Mamudu, H. M., PhD, Bhattacharjee, Prasun, PhD, Nolt, Kate L., MPH, PhD, Niragu, Valentine C., MPH, Greer, Kelli, Smith, Jon L., PhD, Studlar, Donley T., PhD |
| Publisher | Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University |
| Source Sets | East Tennessee State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Appalachian Student Research Forum & Jay S. Boland Undergraduate Research Symposium |
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