Secondly, we must mandate a safe, clean work environment for all employees, not just those who work in office buildings. Restaurants, bowling alleys and gaming rooms are also work places. Food service workers have a 50 percent higher risk of lung cancer than the general population. We worry when our children get jobs driving pizzas around town or staff convenience stores late at night. Exposure to toxic smoke on the job poses a greater risk to their well-being.
Businesses have a legitimate concern about the economic impact of a smoking ban.
However, managers should take heart from a recent report in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Research conducted on hotel revenues and tourism rates before and after passage of smoke-free restaurant ordinances found that such restrictions do not hurt, and may even increase tourist business. There are many positive financial consequences of getting rid of smoke. Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey residents will increase patronage of smoke-free restaurants in Delaware. It will be easier to comply with federal requirements to create a healthy workplace.