[CU-Smokefree] ZAGAT Survey Finds Smokefree Air Popular With Diners (fwd)

[Daniel S. Lewart]

----- Forwarded message from Scott P Hays <sphays at ad.uiuc.edu> -----

-----Original Message-----
From: Joe Cherner [mailto:Joe at smokefree.org]
Sent: Mon 10/20/2003 9:31 PM
To: Joe Cherner announce list
Subject: [JoeCherner-announce] ZAGAT Survey Finds Smokefree Air Popular With Diners

ZAGAT Survey Finds Smokefree Air Popular With Diners
96% of restaurant goers eating out the same amount or more often

A new Zagat survey of 29,361 diners finds that 96% are eating out the same
amount or more often as a result of New York's smokefree restaurant law.
Specifically, 23% said they were eating out more often because of the law.
73% said they were eating out the same.  Only 4% said they were eating
out less often.

"The Zagat survey, like those done by Global Strategy, Zogby
International, and Quinnipiac University, shows that the vast majority
of New Yorkers prefer smokefree dining," says Joe Cherner, Founder of
BREATHE-- Bar and Restaurant Employees Advocating Together for a Healthy
Environment.  "Most diners simply don't want to breathe dirty air while
they are eating."

In other Zagat findings, restaurant openings outnumbered closings by
nearly 2-1, with 174 new restaurants opening and 91 closing.  "The number
of major openings occurring now and scheduled for early next year is
amazing," said Tim Zagat, who publishes the survey with his wife, Nina.

Tobacco interests still claim that New York's smokefree workplace law is
killing business, causing layoffs, and destroying New York's economy,
despite all of the surveys and data showing an increase in employment,
food/beverage sales, and tourism.  "Tobacco interests have lied, lie,
and will always lie," adds Cherner.  "Fortunately, fewer and fewer people
believe them."

To send a "thank you" to the New York State legislature for passing
smokefree workplace legislation, go to www.smokefree.net/NY

To send a "thank you" to the New York City legislature for passing
smokefree workplace legislation, go to www.smokefree.net/NYC

To send a letter in support of smokefree workplace legislation where
YOU live, go to www.smokefree.net/alerts.php

Joseph W. Cherner
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the
world.  Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."       Margaret Mead

To search the JoeCherner-announce archives, go to:
http://smokefree.net/JoeCherner-announce/messages

If you would like to help prevent another generation of tobacco addiction
and disease, click here <http://www.smokefree.net/alerts.php>  to send
a smokefree EZ-letter to a key decision maker.

Sent to sphays at uiuc.edu

----- End forwarded message -----