The Economic Impact of a Smoke-free Bylaw on Restaurant and Bar Sales in Ottawa, Canada

The 1994 Ontario Tobacco Control Act empowered local municipalities to restrict smoking in workplaces and public places. Since then, 73 of 446 Ontario municipalities have implemented smoke-free bylaws in restaurants or both restaurants and bars. Beginning August 1st 2001, the City of Ottawa implemented a 100% smoke-free workplace and public places bylaw, without provision for separately ventilated designated smoking rooms (DSRs). Enforcement began in September 2001. This Update reports on findings of a study to determine the impact of this smoke-free bylaw on the taxable sales of restaurants and bars in the city of Ottawa.