The smoking ban debate is still raging on, as a new study has been published which claims that smoking bans in the Kentucky area have not had an effect on the local bingo industry.
Bingo is used as a fund-raising tool for many local charitable grounds, as well as public schools sports and band booster clubs.
The study is topical, as the Urban County Council is considering tweaks to the city’s indoor smoking ban, which was instituted in 2003. Among the changes proposed is a bill that would add bingo parlors to the list of smoke-free buildings.
The study, by Ellen Hahn and Mark Pyles of the College of Charleston examined the quarterly revenue from bingo halls in 13 counties that have at least one smoking ban. They compared the revenues in areas with smoking bans with the revenues of areas with no smoking ban. They also looked at changes in revenue before and after the bans were enforced.
The study found that while gross receipts were slightly higher before the bans, net receipts were higher after the bans took effect.
Hahn said, in conclusion that “It would be a win-win to include bingo parlors because people who work there to raise money as well as those who go there to play, would be protected.”
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