Research conducted by Yankelovich Partners in 2000 indicates American consumers have strong opinions about smoke and other air quality issues. Consider that:
- 80 percent believe businesses should find a way to accommodate both nonsmokers and smokers in their establishments.
- 86 percent believe ventilation can have a lot or some impact on addressing smoking issues.
- 91 percent agree they would be more likely to go to an establishment that had a state-of-the-art ventilation system vs. one that did not.
Source: “Accommodation: A reasonable approach to public-place smoking,” Options, Philip Morris USA
What you can do
Restaurant and bar owners
- Control airflow to minimize smoke drift from smoking sections to nonsmoking sections.
- Properly maintain — and consider redesigning — ventilation systems to help contain kitchen odors, grease and tobacco smoke, as well as regulate room temperature and humidity.
- Adjust ventilation systems to peak business times to make them more cost effective.
Hotel owners and managers
*Watch the air quality in guest rooms and common areas closely, as these reflect upon the management’s commitment to cleanliness and attention to detail.
* Make flexible accommodation policies for the lobby, restaurant, bar/lounge and meeting rooms to allow for differing preferences of these audiences.
*Ensure proper housekeeping procedures are followed, as this can contribute to cleaner, fresher air. For more ideas, go to www.pmOptions.com/home/home.asp.
