Michigan smoking ban didn't hurt businesses, health department study says

Michigan's law banning smokers from lighting up in bars and restaurants has had no negative impact on businesses, according to a study released Monday by the state's Department of Community Health. The Dr. Ron Davis Smoke-free Air Law went into effect in May 2010 amid complaints and dire predictions from businesses that sell alcohol. Yet the study, performed by the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research, claims those concerns were unfounded. "It is important to note that while some establishments saw sales fluctuations after the passage (of the law), bars and restaurants as a whole were not adversely affected," health department Director James Haveman said in a news release.

"We commend Michigan bars and restaurants for their support in transitioning to a smoke-free environment as this law has also drastically improved the air quality in these establishments," he said. "There is no question that Michiganders have a healthier environment because of this important piece of legislation." Despite Haveman's assertions, others aren't sure the smoking ban has been so benign. For 17 years, Bo Burton has managed the Blarney Stone Pub, which sits on the west side of Woodward Avenue in Berkley.

And the 19-month period from the start of the ban until last December was one of the slowest periods he has seen. "Our overall sales dropped immediately by close to 30 percent," he said. "And this was at a time when the economy was already down. The timing couldn't have been worse." Burton said many patrons responded to the ban by spending more time at home — opening up their garages or living rooms to friends who wanted to have a few drinks and smoke in peace.

He added that he knows many bars that have gone under since the ban was enacted. In December, Burton and the owners of Blarney Stone shifted their focus from the pub emphasis of old, to a more food-oriented approach. That meant a new menu and new televisions around the service area. For their efforts, the operation has inched back up to sales numbers near the old days. "For a while there it was borderline whether we would stick it out or shut it down," he said. Researchers came to their conclusions after studying state sales tax collections from Michigan's bars, restaurants and establishments selling Club Keno tickets.