Smoke-Free Illinois Complaints Low while Revenues are Up

It’s been a year since the Smoke-Free Illinois Act took effect. Has it hurt business as many people feared? With data coming in about sales tax revenue, liquor license renewals, and complaints, the smoke is finally beginning to clear on this issue.

“At the end of 2007, we had heard from many restaurant and bar owners who were concerned that Smoke-Free Illinois would hurt their business,” said Kristine Andersen, Coordinator of the Tobacco Free Lake County program at the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center. “It was a scary time for them.”

A year later, it appears that business revenues have actually increased. Data from the Illinois Department of Revenue shows a small increase in overall sales tax revenue, and an even greater increase in tax revenue from drinking and eating establishments. Comparing the first six months of 2008 (the most recent figures available) with the first six months of 2007, you see an overall increase of 1.3% and an increase of 5.2% for drinking and eating establishments.

Although this raw data doesn’t control for other factors like the economy and increases in sales tax, it is safe to say that Smoke-Free Illinois didn’t kill restaurant and bar business. It is important to note that the big sales tax hike in Cook County this year isn’t included in the State data because it took effect in the third quarter.

Lake County fared even better than the State as a whole. Sales tax revenue in
Lake County increased 2.6% overall and 6.7% for drinking and eating establishments.

Andersen thinks that Lake County businesses might have done better than the rest of the State because business owners were proactive and stayed positive. “Six weeks before the law even took effect, 100 businesses attended our forums on preparing for Smoke-Free Illinois and over half of those attending were from restaurants and bars,” Andersen said.

In addition, the number of liquor licenses in Illinois has remained constant since Smoke-Free Illinois took effect. The number of liquor licenses dropped less than one fifth of one percent between 2007 and 2008 (through December 14 of both years). “The effect of the smoking ban on renewals is negligible, if any,” said Ted Penesis, Industry Education Manager at the Illinois Liquor Control Commission. “Quite frankly,” he continued, “I’m surprised the difference wasn’t larger due to the economy.”

And while many people think that the vast majority of smoking violations would come from bars, it isn’t true. In Lake County, almost as many corporations have received complaints, and retail businesses rank a close third.

“As predicted, the law is for the most part selfenforcing,” said Barbara de Nekker, Community Health Specialist with Tobacco Free Lake County.

De Nekker maintains records of all the complaints received regarding Lake County businesses.

“Only 87 businesses have received complaints this year, which represents less than half of one percent of all Lake County establishments. The highest number of complaints came in during January, and it has declined steadily since then. ”

Because enforcement of the law is complaint-based, de Nekker encourages anyone who
witnesses a violation of the Smoke-Free Illinois Act to report it to the State toll-free hotline 866-973-4646 or website www.smoke-free.illinois.gov.

“In short, what we see from all this data is that Smoke-Free Illinois is good for health AND good for business,” de Nekker said. “It is clear that most people like Smoke-Free Illinois.”

Those interested in celebrating the Smoke-Free Illinois one year anniversary are encouraged to stop by for a piece of free cake and a chance to win free t-shirts and other giveaways on Friday, January 16, 12:00 – 2:00 pm in the lobby of the Lake County Building, 18 N. County Street.

Sign a giant birthday card for Smoke-Free Illinois, and see the colorful “Celebrate
Smoke-Free Illinois” quilt – a quit featuring quotes from residents all over Lake County. For more details, call Tobacco Free Lake County at 847-377-8090 or tflc@co.lake.il.us. Tobacco Free Lake County is funded by the Illinois Department of Public Health.