Approval For Smoke-free Bars in California Continues to Grow; Survey Shows Majority of California Bar "Regulars" Like Smoke-free Law.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 5, 1998--An increasing majority of California's bar patrons approve of the state smoke-free bar law, according to a new survey conducted in August for the California Department of Health Services (DHS).

Released Monday, the survey was the second conducted for DHS this year by the Field Research Corp., a leading independent opinion research firm. A similar survey was conducted in February/March.

Results show that of bar patrons surveyed, 65% approve of the smoke-free law, up from 59% in February/March. Notable increases in the percentage of patrons who approve of the law were among regular bar patrons -- those who visit bars once a week or more -- (from 46% to 59%) and patrons of stand-alone bars (from 46% to 56%).

In addition, more than two-thirds of bar patrons -- 68% -- say it is "very important" or "somewhat important" to have a smoke-free environment inside clubs, bars, lounges and restaurants with bars. Also, 68% say that they are concerned about the effects of secondhand smoke on their health.

The survey also found that 87% of bar patrons report that they will go to bars more often, or not change their bar-going behavior, as a result of the California law prohibiting smoking in bars, up from 85% in February/March.

"Here's the bottom line: After eight months of living with smoke-free bars, a growing majority of California bar patrons support the change to a smoke-free environment," said State Health Director Kim Belshe. "California's smoke-free workplace law was designed to protect all California workers, including bar employees, from involuntarily breathing secondhand smoke.

"Despite repeated attempts by special interest groups to overturn this important public health measure, the law remains in place," said Belshe. "What's more, contrary to doomsday predictions from tobacco industry front groups, Californians are still patronizing the 37,000 restaurant bars and stand-alone bars in our state -- and breathing easier in a smoke-free environment while they are there.

"In fact, data recently released by the California State Board of Equalization (BOE), which compared the first quarters of 1997 and 1998, indicated that revenues for California bars have not been affected by the law," added Belshe.

The Field Research Corp. conducted the statewide random-digit dial telephone survey of 1,020 bar patrons age 21 or older Aug. 7-13, 1998. Adults were screened for having been to a nightclub, bar, lounge or bar/restaurant in the past 12 months.

The survey also found:

-- Notable increases in the percentage of patrons who approve of the smoke-free ordinance were among regular bar patrons (from 46% to 59%), patrons of stand-alone bars (from 46% to 56%) and patrons of nightclubs (from 58% to 66%).

-- Since the first survey in February/March, there has been an increase in the percentage of smokers who report going outside to smoke (from 53% to 63%).

-- Only 25% of bar patrons reported that they are smokers.

-- Seventy-five percent of bar patrons who smoke reported that they are complying with the smoke-free bar law.

The results of this survey reinforce findings of other surveys and opinion polls that show strong support for smoke-free bars among bar patrons. For example, a recently conducted Los Angeles Times poll also found that a majority of Californians favor the new law. (Los Angeles Times, May 27, 1998, page A3.)

Assembly Bill 13, signed into law by Governor Wilson in 1994, is a public health measure designed to protect employees from secondhand smoke by banning smoking in indoor workplaces. Since the law's smoke-free bar provision went into effect Jan. 1, 1998, the 850,000 Californians who work in restaurants and bars have been afforded the same protection from secondhand smoke that the rest of California's work force has enjoyed since Jan. 1, 1995.

NOTE TO EDITORS: STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION DATA AND FIELD POLL CHARTS AVAILABLE FROM ROGERS AND ASSOCIATES, 310/552-6922.