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Overall Change in Customers
Overall, two-thirds of surveyed business owners/managers claim to see fewer
customers as compared to before the ban went into effect.

Percentage Increase / Decrease in Customers
On average, respondents who claim to be seeing fewer customers say their
customer base has declined by about 29%.
- Those with single locations have seen a significantly larger decrease than
those in chains (30% vs. 22%, on average).
- Those with capacities under 100 also have seen a significantly greater
decrease (31% vs. 26%, on average).
- Bars/nightclubs and bars/restaurants (30% each) have seen significantly
larger average decreases than those in hotel bars (18%).

Average Number of Employees
Current vs. Previous
The overall average number of employees has decreased by 5%.

Reasons for Decrease in Staffing
A downturn in business due to the smoking ban is the main reason volunteered
as to why staffing has decreased since the ban went into effect (74%
mentioning).

% Decrease Attributable to Layoffs from Smoking Ban
*Among respondents who have seen a decrease in staff, one-third attribute
100% of the layoffs to the smoking ban.
*On average, respondents attribute 49% of the decrease in staff to the
smoking ban.
- Not surprisingly, those seeing fewer customers report a greater average
decrease in staff due to the smoking ban (55%) than those who
report they are seeing the same amount of customers (15% decrease in staff)
and more customers (0% decrease in staff).

Impact of Smoking Ban on Business
Negative impact
*Three in four respondents say the smoking ban has had a negative impact on
their businesses.
*About half (48%) give general negative statements, citing a drop-off in
revenue. About the same amount (46%) claim there is customer resistance,
specifically that customers don't come in at all, or at least less often
than before.
*Fewer claim that customers are spending less time in their establishments
(16%), they are going to other places (13%), and that problems are
created by sending customers outside to smoke (7%).

Steps Taken to Maintain Business
*Over six in ten respondents claim to have taken some type of step(s) to
maintain business in light of the smoking ban.
*One in four respondents say they have run specials / promotions to maintain
their businesses (24%), specifically running food
(13%) and drink (8%) specials.
*Approximately one in five (18%) have made accommodations for smokers and
one in eight have implemented entertainment /
activities (13%).
*Notably, one-third of respondents say they have not done anything in light
of the smoking ban (36%), either because they don't
feel they need to or because they feel there is nothing they can do.