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Approaching a Smoke Free Future (A 2005 BPAA Study on the Impact of Smoking Legislation)

Few issues face the bowling industry today that have as much emotion and complexity as the implementation of
smoking bans or restrictions in centers. Whether state-wide legislation or proprietor choice, center operations and
bowlers are impacted. BPAA conducted this in-depth study among league bowlers, proprietors and state BPAA
executive directors. The goal was to look at all of the factors in a complex issue and identify reality from
perception. In effect, clear the air and find the usable facts. The following is a summary of key findings that
proprietors and managers should consider today:
  1. It is inevitable. At some point almost every center will have to face the issue of smoking restrictions. The number of state-wide bans has increased from 3 to 12 since the July 2003 Florida ban and the local and county proposals increased at an even greater rate.
  2. Become involved with the process from the beginning. Work with other groups, have a voice, and work toward a reasonable accommodation for your business. Taking a position to defeat the ban is likely to be unsuccessful.
  3. Knowledge is the key to implementing a successful program. Fear of the unknown was apparent when comparing results between centers who have dealt with a smoking restriction or ban and those who have not. Shared experiences and solutions are a must.
  4. Understand the numbers. For every smoker there are three non-smokers – in the general population, among all bowlers, among league bowlers and among proprietors. When considering economic impact look at both groups.
  5. It most likely is not as bad as it one might think. The majority of centers who have experienced restricted or complete smoking bans for more than two years reported positive impacts and outcomes that were different from their expectations.
  6. Youth and Families. One of the clearest and most significant messages in the study is the significant increase in youth and family bowling. Put special emphasis on both programs and promotion for this willing market.
  7. Be proactive. Centers that enacted their own smoking policies before legislation had happier bowlers. More center respondents to the study had their own restrictions in place than those imposed by governmental bodies.
  8. Communicate with customers. Customers who understand the center’s role in the decision, the measures taken to accommodate the smokers and the benefits that the non-smoking environment provides are much more willing to accept the change.
  9. Provide a positive position. Center management that projected a negative position about smoking legislation – fought the issue and shared their concerns with bowlers - had a higher rate of dissatisfaction among smokers than centers who talked about accommodations and benefits.
  10. Bowlers are flexible and tolerant. Bowlers are not “either-or”. The majority of smokers and non-smokers understand the needs of the other side and are willing to make changes for them. Communication again is the key - and the earlier the better.
  11. Make plans early. Look at the best examples of successful plans – smoking rooms, outdoor areas, ventilation, signage and be prepared.
  12. Plan to take advantage of the changes. Do not wait to see what happens. Understand that a non-smoking environment opens up opportunities to 75% of the population, some of whom left bowling because of the smoke. Plan programs, leagues and events that will appeal to them. Look at building renovations that will be more effective in a smoke-free environment.
  13. Promote and market. Include the smoke-free environment in your marketing messages. Promote outside of the building to former bowlers willing to return to a non-smoking facility and let potential customers know your center is not the old stereotype smoke filled image. Target new audiences with new messages.
The 2005 BPAA Smoking Ban and Restriction Study report is available.
It is one of the hottest topics today – “What will happen to bowling if bowlers can’t
smoke in the center?”

Ultimately it is the center’s decision on how it wants to deal with smoking bans and / or restrictions and with bowlers. The objective of this study was to ask unbiased questions of proprietors and bowlers to provide facts and statistics regarding the impact of smoking bans and restrictions. A few of the commonly held beliefs were disproved and others
were validated. The study also looked at their attitudes to help develop programs and messages that will be most effective. Over 1600 league bowlers and 600 proprietors generously shared their opinions. We asked and we listened.

It was clear that knowledge is the strongest tool available to bowling center proprietors. This is true in working with the legislative process, communicating with bowlers, making changes to the center, developing new programs and marketing to potential new and returning customers.

The following report highlights the key findings of the study that are most relevant to center proprietors. A more detailed description of the survey process can be found on the methodology page. Further questions should be sent to BPAA Headquarters.

Smoking is an emotional issue in centers and in general.
From the beginning of the research process the emotional intensity on both sides of the issue was apparent. The passion of both smokers and non-smokers is seen in newspaper articles and websites; it was heard in the focus groups and loudly amongst the openended responses from both bowlers and proprietors. Yet, there was also a significant message of tolerance and understanding among the bowlers - many smokers acknowledged the issues of non-smokers and the non-smokers in turn understood the needs of the smokers. Both groups indicated willingness to compromise - recognizing the ultimate objective is to improve bowling for everyone. Understanding the facts, listening and weighing all of the alternatives is a key factor in developing the best position.

Addressing smoking in bowling centers is inevitable.
If a center has not already faced smoking legislation or implemented their own restrictions, it is likely that legislation will in the not too distant future. When implemented in July 2003, Florida became the third state with a state-wide smoking ban.
By June 2005 that number had increased four times with 12 state-wide smoking bans in place. Web sites including nosmoking.org track state, county and municipal legislation and document the exponential growth in affected areas. (While the site is sponsored by an anti-smoking organization, the data is unbiased and provides a quick update for
individual locations.) BPAA is currently constructing a site to specifically address smoking legislation as it relates to bowling centers.