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statistically significant changes in restaurantand bar revenues occurred after the smoking ban took effect." • In a study comparing 5 counties with restaurant smoking ordinances and 5 similar counties with no such ordinances, no adverse economic effects were found on the restaurant industry. This study was conducted in North Carolina, the number one tobacco-producingstate in the U.S.'� One year following implementation of a smoking ban in New York City, business receipts for restaurants and bars have increased, employmenthas risen, virtually all establishments are complying with the law, and the number of new liquor licenses has increased. The vast majority of New Yorkers support the law and say they are more likely to patronize bars and restaurants now that they are smoke-free." Trends Regarding Minnesota and National Smoke-Free Policies In Minnesota, smoke-free ordinances have been enacted in Duluth, Cloquet, Moose Lake, and Olmsted County. Cities that have recently proposed smoke-free workplace or restaurants and bars ordinances are Minneapolis, St. Paul, Moorhead and Bemidji. Several other Minnesota cities are also studying this issue. One-quarter of Minnesota restaurants have voluntarily gone smoke-free. Altogether, there are 291 municipalities, in 25 states, with 100 percent smoke-free coverage in at least one of the three main categories (workplaces, restaurants, and bars). Since some have 100 percent smoke-free coverage in more than one category, the numbers are not mutually �xclusi+�c,'• As of April 2004, nine states (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Maine, New York, South Dakota, Utah) had passed laws prohibiting smoking in at least one category (workplaces, restaurants, or bars� " In Massachusetts, a bill to ban indoor smoking in all workplaces —including bars and restaurants —is awaiting the Governor's sig�i�t�� Note: In June 2004, this bill was signed into law As of Apri12004, 92.3 million Americans (32.8 percent of the population) are covered by 100 percent smoke-free workplace and/or restaurant andlor bar ��,� Majority of Minnesotans Prefer Smoke-Free Public Places A Market Strategies survey commissioned by the Minnesota Smoke-Free Coalition in August 2002 found that 79 percent of Minnesota voters would support a law requiring smoke-free workplaces, public buildings, and restaurants. The survey found that support transcends party and ideological differences, with a majority of self-identifiedRepublicans, Democrats, and Independents strongly supporting such legislation.31 A November 2001 poll by Hill Research Consultants found that 78 percent of Minnesotans (including 51 percent of smokers) supported a new local law that would make all workplaces