Study: Bars not hurt by smoking ban

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - A study says Michigan's ban on smoking in bars and restaurants has not significantly hurt sales at those establishments.

The study commissioned by the state's Department of Community Health and conducted by University of Michigan researcher Helen Levy looked at trends in tax collections, lottery and cigarette sales from 2006 to 2011. The ban took effect in May 2010.

Study results released Monday show small bars or nightclubs may have lost sales since the ban, but eating and drinking establishments were not adversely affected.

Michigan Licensed Beverage Association Executive Director Scott Ellis tells The Detroit Free Press declining tax collections and Keno lottery sales can be linked to the ban.

American Cancer Society spokeswoman Judy Stewart says "smoke-free air laws protect workers from dangerous secondhand smoke without economic consequences."