-- In 2006, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services projected a 10,000 job gain for the hospitality and leisure industry for 2007. The first 12 months of the smoking ban saw 5,400 lost jobs for that industry.

-- Data obtained from Ohio Division of Liquor Control: both wholesale and retail (home consumption) sales from 2003 - 2006 had a steady growth in number of bottles sold. However 2007 presented a different picture, wholesale sales declined sharply. Factoring in the growth the industry had been experiencing, permit holders lost a potential of $67,441,632 in sales in 2007. Before these numbers are blamed on a bad economy, consider that retail had a whopping increase of 1,384,148 bottles sold from 2006-2007. People who smoke resent businesses that do not allow smoking and many stay at home.

-- The above losses imply that there has been a $4,264,446 decline in sales and use tax from bars and restaurants.

-- One large beer distributor reports a 5% loss in sales.

-- The coin machine industry, including juke boxes and pool tables, is down 20 to 30 percent in liquor pouring establishments.

-- The trickle down effect includes the loss of income to musicians, karaoke vendors, snack vendors, and costs to the State of Ohio for enforcement of the ban.

"Ohio is not unique. Bar owners and clubs across the U.S. are crying foul. Pubs in Germany, Ireland, the UK are closing. Hospitality business owners in Germany are angry because they were told their pubs had nothing to fear from the smoking ban and how commercially successful bans have been in Ireland, the UK and the USA, where bars were allegedly teeming with 'new' customers," said Debi Kistner, Opponents of Ohio Bans.

"If hundreds and hundreds of studies show there's no harm to businesses, why would business owners complain? Why would they fight the smoking ban? Why would they want smoking if their businesses were doing so well without smoking?" Kistner asked.

"Voters were misled when they voted for Issue 5. They voted for a ban they were told would not harm businesses. Therefore, Issue 5 should be declared invalid and overturned. Put up a sign warning of the presence of tobacco smoke, and allow businesses to reap the benefits of a true economic stimulus package," said Pam Parker, Opponents of Ohio Bans.

Related Web site: www.opponentsofohiobans.com

SOURCE Opponents of Ohio Bans
Pam Parker, +1-614-565-6560, Debi Kistner, +1-614-668-8485, both of Opponents of Ohio Bans, truth@opponentsofohiobans.com,


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