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Environmental and Economic Evaluation of the Massachusetts Smoke-free Workplace Law

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Abstract

An environmental and economic evaluation of the smoke-free law in Massachusetts provides a broad appreciation of how a state-wide smoking ban affects the health of patrons and workers as well as the industries that are commonly concerned about the effects of smoking bans on business. The aim of this study is to evaluate environmental and economic effects of the statewide Massachusetts statewide Smoke-Free Workplace Law. Before and after the smoking ban, air quality testing was conducted in a sample (n = 27) of hospitality venues and state-wide economic changes were assessed. Compliance, in terms of patronage was measured by person-counts. Environmental outcomes were respirable suspended particles (RSP) less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5). Economic outcomes were meals tax collections, employment in the food services and drinking places and accommodations industries. On average, levels of respirable suspended particles (RSPs) less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5) decreased 93% in these venues after the Massachusetts Smoke-free Workplace Law went into effect. No statistically significant changes were observed among the economic indicators. This evaluation demonstrates that the state-wide Massachusetts law has effectively improved indoor air quality in a sample of Massachusetts venues and has not negatively affected several economic indicators.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Harvard School of Public Health, Division of Public Health Practice, Tobacco Research Program, 401 Park Drive, Landmark Building, Floor 3E, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    Hillel R. Alpert ScM, BSc, Carrie M. Carpenter PhD, MS & Gregory N. Connolly DMD, MPH

  2. Department of Health Behavior, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA

    Mark J. Travers MS

Authors
  1. Hillel R. Alpert ScM, BSc
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  2. Carrie M. Carpenter PhD, MS
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  3. Mark J. Travers MS
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  4. Gregory N. Connolly DMD, MPH
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hillel R. Alpert ScM, BSc.

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Support for this report was provided by the Flight Attendant Medical Research Institute.

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Alpert, H.R., Carpenter, C.M., Travers, M.J. et al. Environmental and Economic Evaluation of the Massachusetts Smoke-free Workplace Law. J Community Health 32, 269–281 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-007-9048-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-007-9048-6

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