JoeCherner-announce

Tim Zagat, founder of Zagat Survey, wrote the following op-ed for the
Philadelphia Business Journal.  To send a letter in support of smokefree
Philadelphia, go to www.smokefree.net/Philly

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Zagat Finds Overwhelming Support for Smokefree Restaurants, Bars, and Clubs

Philadelphia Business Journal, 4/28/06

Since my wife Nina and I started publishing Zagat Survey guides in 1979, we've
found that people often have widely differing points of view -- sometimes even
about the same dish at the same restaurant on the same night. There are very few
issues of taste about which people of all ages, genders, and geographic regions
can agree. 

That's why it catches our attention when an issue garners the overwhelming
support of the public. And it is clear from our surveys that the vast majority
of Americans prefer their restaurants, bars, and clubs to be smoke-free. 

Right now, the Philadelphia City Council has the opportunity to heed the wishes
of Philadelphians by passing legislation to make all workplaces, including
restaurants and bars, smoke-free. In doing so, they will stand on the side of
public opinion, as well as sound economic and public health policy. 

In the 27 years we've been publishing our surveys, we've come to know the
in-depth preferences of consumers when it comes to dining, nightlife, travel and
leisure activities. Our local surveys are based on the responses of thousands of
people. They are good barometers of public opinion and hospitality industry
trends. 

We recently surveyed more than 115,000 people for our 2006 America's Top
Restaurants guide, and found that 89 percent of all Americans and 83 percent of
Philadelphia respondents think smoking should be totally banned in restaurants.
Of Philadelphia locals, 72 percent said they would dine out the same amount if
restaurants were smoke-free, while 25 percent would dine out more. Only 3
percent said they would dine out less. 

Every time the issue comes up, opponents of smoke-free laws argue that these
laws would devastate small businesses. The opposite is true. In three years as
the chairman of NYC & Company, the official marketing, promotion and tourism arm
of New York City, I watched New York transition into a smoke-free city and
witnessed the positive impact the law had on our restaurants and nightlife. Our
2004 survey found that 96 percent of New Yorkers were eating out as much -- or
more -- after the law took effect. Moreover, studies showed that business
receipts and employment increased for restaurants and bars, the number of liquor
licenses increased and virtually all establishments were complying with the law.


But the dollars and cents case only supports the most important incentive for
passing a smoke-free law in Philadelphia -- the well-documented health benefits.
Exposure to secondhand smoke leads to lung cancer, heart disease and other
serious illnesses. 

I know the Philadelphia City Council and Mayor John F. Street care about the
public health, and they also care about the vitality of Philadelphia businesses.
For the good of both, City Council should pass the smoke-free air law. 

To send a letter in support of smokefree Philadelphia, go to
www.smokefree.net/Philly

Joseph W. Cherner
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the 
world.  Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."    Margaret Mead