New York bars and restaurants ‘not hit by smoking ban’

BUSINESS is booming in New York’s bars and restaurants with tax receipts up 12% since the introduction of the city’s smoking ban.

Figures from the city’s Department of Finance show $12 million paid in taxes from bars and restaurants from April through September of 2003, compared to $10.8m in 2002.

Department of Finance Commissioner, Martha E. Stark said one early economic trend was encouraging since the ban was introduced last March.