Consumer Response to the New York City Smoke-Free Air Act

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess consumer response to the New York City Smoke-Free Air Act. The overwhelming majority of respondents reported they were largely unaffected by the law or dined out more frequently since the law took effect; however, there was a small percentage of consumers that reported dining out less frequently. There were few reports of consumers who stopped dining out altogether or left or entered the city with the specific purpose of dining in a place that suited their smoking preference. The New York City Smoke-Free Air Act appears to have had little impact on the dining out patterns of consumers.