The introduction of smoke-free hospitality venues in Norway. Impact on revenues, frequency of patronage, satisfaction and compliance. Evaluation of public tobacco control work in Norway 2003 - 2007 Report 8 from HEMIL/SIRUS

Abstract

1.1 Background After 16 years of exceptions from §6 of the Act relating to prevention of the harmful effects of tobacco, the so-called Tobacco Act, a smoke-free regime was introduced at all hospitality venues from 1 June 2004. The previous regulations regarding smoke- free areas in bars, pubs, cafés and restaurants were thereby superseded by an absolute ban on smoking indoors. The authorities' most important reason for revoking the exception was to afford employees in the hospitality industry the same protection against passive smoking as other employees had had since §6 of the Tobacco Act came into effect in 1988. Further, it is pointed out that hospitality venues, discotheques and the like were an important recruitment arena for smoking among young people. Importance was also attached to the fact that numerous individuals with asthma and allergies could not patronise hospitality venues due to the problems they suffered as a result of smoke-filled indoor air. Finally, it was pointed out that the regulations on smoke-free areas were difficult for the industry in terms of compliance. The desire for an evaluation of the ban wa s expressed when the issue was discussed by the Storting's Standing Committee on Health and Social Affairs and was repeated during the subsequent parliamentary debate. The explanation was that the ban was controversial, and that there was doubt attached to the economic consequences for the hospitality industry as well as uncertainty associated with the general public's compliance and satisfaction. The evaluation was to be presented after three years at the latest. The Norwegian Institute for Alcohol and Drug Research (SIRUS) won the contract to conduct the evaluation as a link in a broader evaluation of the State's tobacco prevention work in Norway.