Study says smoking bans don't hurt bars and restaurants

LANSING (AP) - A study of smoking bans in other states says the bans don't have any net economic effect on bars and restaurants.

The study was released Tuesday by former Michigan Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema, now of Public Sector Consultants, a Lansing think tank.

It was prepared for The Campaign for Smokefree Air. The group is trying to get the state Senate to take up a House-passed bill banning smoking in all work places, including bars and restaurants.

A spokesman for the Michigan Restaurant Association says bars and restaurants should be allowed to set their own policies based on what customers want.

But Sikkema says studies have shown secondhand smoke affects the health of customers and workers in places that allow smoking.