BACKGROUND: Article 8 of the WHO FCTC obligates its Parties to enact policies that create 100% smoke-free (SF) enclosed workplaces, public places and public transport. In some jurisdictions, the tourism sector has requested exemptions citing concerns that these policies could have negative economic impacts. This narrative literature review identified studies that reported economic impacts of SF policies on the tourism sector including hotels, casinos/gambling venues, and sporting events.
METHODS: The search included peer reviewed and gray literature, published between January 1, 2004 and June 18, 2024. Scopus, Embase, and JSTOR databases were used. Search terms included variations of “smoke-free” AND “tourism,” OR “hospitality,” OR “beach” OR “casino,” OR “hotel,” and other related terms. Articles were included in the study if they reported economic impacts of SF policies on a tourism sector. Studies were initially screened by title and abstract, then full text.
RESULTS: Database searching identified 692 articles. 37 studies met inclusion criteria. Nearly all identified studies (95%) focused on economic impacts in high-income countries. Most studies (73%) reported neutral or positive economic impacts from SF policies. There is evidence that hotels experienced stable or improved revenues, increased customer satisfaction, and enhanced employee health outcomes after going SF. There is evidence that some casinos experienced short-term revenue declines, but these were often temporary. Comprehensive SF policies were more likely to yield positive economic benefits compared to partial policies, commonly attributed to enforcement challenges.
CONCLUSIONS: This review supports the argument that comprehensive SF policies provide both health and economic benefits. Findings can help policymakers counter tobacco industry claims and build political support for stronger SF policies, especially in jurisdictions that have robust tourism sectors. It is also noted that there are few studies from low- and middle-income countries, highlighting the need for further research in these jurisdictions.