We're not surprised! Smoke-free advocates have long noted that study after study proves smoke-free workplace laws don't harm business.  Today's story about Kirkwood from the Post-Dispatch with accompanying sales tax data supports what we already know - smoke-free is good for health and good for business.

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Kirkwood smoking ban doesn't hurt as much as some expected

KIRKWOOD -- The Geyer Inn has been welcoming a hard-core group of fun-loving pool players, drinkers, talkers and smokers for decades now. Dense clouds of cigarette smoke regularly greeted visitors.

But on Jan. 2, the day that Kirkwood's voter-approved smoking ban went into effect, visitors were greeted by a hand-made no-smoking sign taped above the ornate wooden bar counter.

Now, 10 weeks into the smoking ban, most of that crowd has remained loyal to the Geyer Inn. And they still smoke -- stepping outside into the chill winter night to light up.

The ban "hasn't really affected us that much at all," bartender Jacque Rafferty said. The bar operates an open-air patio that contains one table, one ashtray and couple of bar stools. "People step outside into the 'Smoking Garden' if they want to smoke," she said. "It'll be fine in the spring."

While other Kirkwood establishments are reporting some dips in business -- Graham's Grill and Bayou Bar in particular -- most are also saying the smoking ban has not been a terrible burden.

"It's not bad," said veteran bar and restaurant entrepreneur Paul Cartier, owner of The Jefferson Grill and PJ's Tavern in downtown Kirkwood. "It hasn't really adversely affected us as much as I'd thought it would.

"Obviously you lose some customers on the smoking end, but since we're family oriented, it actually has helped in a lot of ways. We're getting a lot of comments about how clean and nice it is and families with kids don't mind waiting. People from Webster who don't like smoking are coming in."

Some late night-bar patrons who smoke have departed, Cartier said. At first, "it was a little bit of a shocker, but I think smokers are getting over it. And when the weather changes, and we have a few nice days, they'll be back."

(PJ's has a patio area, and outdoor smoking is allowed under the Kirkwood ordinance.)

About two-thirds of Kirkwood voters in November favored the ban. Next Jan. 2, the city of St. Louis and St. Louis County will begin enforcement of their smoke-free ordinances.

Both city and county bans have exemptions. For instance, the county exempts bars that serve little food. The city exempts small bars based on square footage.

Kirkwood's ban has no such exemptions.

TAX REVENUE IS UP

Sales tax revenue rose in Kirkwood in January over the same period last year.

Kirkwood -- $293,160 in 2010, up from $272,579 in 2009.

For rest of story, click here