Economic fears are snuffing out smoking bans

updated 5:42 p.m. ET Feb. 4, 2009

DENVER - In this economy, lawmakers are more willing to let people smoke 'em if they got 'em.

As recently as last year, many states and major cities seemed ready to adopt complete indoor smoking bans. But the movement to kick all smokers outdoors has stalled as the recession worsens and lawmakers fear hurting business at bars, restaurants and casinos.

"This economy, it creates a little more sympathy for the business person. So when we say this is going to put us out of business, believe me, they're listening," said Mike Moser, executive director of the Wyoming State Liquor Association.

Twenty-three states, as well as Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, have indoor smoking bans covering bars and restaurants. No one else has adopted a ban in the early weeks of this year's legislative sessions.

In Colorado, lawmakers are considering easing the rules after they banned smoking in most bars, restaurants and casinos.

New Jersey put off a smoking ban for Atlantic City casinos after five of 11 casinos warned they could file for bankruptcy by year's end. In Virginia, a proposed statewide ban stalled this year after lawmakers expressed concern about the economy.

Moser's group opposes an indoor smoking ban that has been offered in Wyoming. After businesses raised objections, state lawmakers last month exempted bars from the legislation.

In cities that have banned smoking in bars, "it's just killing them," said Mike Reid, owner of a wine bar in Casper. Reid voluntarily banned smoking in his bar, but opposes the forced ban as president of the liquor association.

"When someone builds a business with a clientele that smokes, they should be able to go in there and smoke," Reid said.

Fact File Kick the habit Learn about popular products, drugs and anticipated new ways to help you quit smoking. msnbc.com

Health advocates are citing the economy to argue their side, too. With state budgets burdened by rising health care costs, banning smoking saves the government money in the long run, they say.

In Kansas, which has no statewide ban, advocates are circulating a new state health report predicting Kansas would save $20 million in health care costs the first year smoking is banned in bars and restaurants.

"This whole economic argument is hogwash, scientifically, but that doesn't mean it's not politically useful," said Dr. Stanton Glantz, director of the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California, San Francisco.

Glantz says reputable studies show indoor smoking bans do not hurt businesses, and he urged politicians to ignore complaints from bar owners that smoking bans will ruin them.

"There's a growing realization that tobacco control is good for business — all businesses except for the tobacco companies," Glantz said.

Health advocates also say the existing patchwork of tobacco regulations puts nonsmoking restaurants at an economic disadvantage in states such as South Carolina and Wyoming.

South Carolina Rep. Todd Rutherford, a Democrat who has proposed a statewide ban, said if lawmakers don't want to hurt any businesses, they "need to make this uniform."

But Virginia Delegate Tom Gear, a Republican, said other lawmakers oppose new smoking bans for the same reason.

"Why should government tell a business how to do business?" Gear said.

Virginia lawmakers also rejected two tobacco tax increases this year, in part because of hesitancy to raise taxes in a recession.

MORE FROM U.S. BUSINESS

U.S. business Section Front

NASCAR sponsors seem to be in driver’s seat Japan Airlines keeps alliance with American Winter athletes fight to get day in sun   Golden opportunities: Turn gold into green Little-guy sponsors score Olympic talent Doritos’ ‘House Rules’ ad is tops with users The best and worst of Super Bowl ads Magazine circulation falls 9 percent in U.S. Restructuring CIT taps ex-Merrill chief as CEO Super Bowl goes into overtime, with the ads U.S. business Section Front   Add U.S. business headlines to your news reader: