The Economic Impact of Smoke-Free Policies on Business and Health

Abstract

Exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) is a significant public health concern affecting millions of Americans, many of whom are Hoosiers. A considerable amount of medical research has demonstrated that there is no safe level of secondhand smoke. The purpose of this brief report is to summarize what researchers have concluded regarding the economic impact smoke-free legislation has on the hospitality industry and on health-related expenditures both nationally and in Indiana.