Epidemiologic and Economic Research, And the Question of Smoking Bans (Essay)

The Rationale for Bans Public health advocates claim that smoking bans in public places are necessary to protect the public from environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), often called "secondhand smoke." Advocates also assert that communities can mandate bans without fear that they harm any business owners. Advocates go so far as to claim that bans often raise profits and so, in effect, owners should thank advocates for increasing their wealth. There are two widely cited literature reviews that concern economic impacts.