JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum Smoking in Clubs: Has it affected artists/performers?

Hi Folks,

Though the laws were supposed to primarily protect daily employees working at bars from cigarette smoke, many performing artists have also been relieved of the negative affects of smoke on their health and especially for singers, their voices. Best of all, the numbers released today have shown that the bars have ALSO benefited beyond health concerns. Since the ban in NYC of smoking in public places, clubs have shown a net 9% increase in business. This pretty much wipes out the notion that banning smoking will kill bar business completely (and among some artists kill bars booking bands). If anything, they should have more funding to pay now (if they want to) and probably over the short and long term will spend far less on sick employees. The entire country of Ireland just went smoke free, so it will be interesting to learn their results as well. If they also show no harm and an actual increase in business after the ban, the question now is: how long will it be until the entire United States is smoke-free in public like Ireland just became? I think places like Las Vegas would likely fight tooth and nail not to become smoke free (though to be honest, we spent very little time in the casinos specifically because of smoking stench), but if NYC can do it, how long til everyone else? Also, have any artists noticed a plus or minus effect on their gigs and/or crowds in areas where smoking has been banned?

Brian