Story Ideas for Media 5/18/09

Research

Ohio State study: Smoking bans do not cause job losses in bars and restaurants. New research suggests that exempting bars from community smoking bans makes no economic difference in terms of preserving bar employment, and that even the most comprehensive clean indoor air policies do not lead to a reduction in hospitality jobs.
Researchers hope the findings, based on a study in Minnesota, will factor into future debates within municipalities and states considering the economic and health issues surrounding smoking-ban proposals.
The study examined employment trends over three years in eight Minnesota cities with different types of clean indoor air policies and two cities with no laws restricting smoking. Of the policies examined, some were comprehensive bans prohibiting smoking in all workplaces, while others banned smoking in most public places and businesses, but exempted bars.
Though economic effects of smoking bans have been studied in many individual communities, this is the first analysis to compare the economic effects of different levels of clean indoor air policies in multiple cities.
"In the end we can say there isn't a significant economic effect by type of clean indoor air policy, which should give us more support for maintaining the most beneficial public health policies," said Elizabeth Klein, assistant professor of health behavior and health promotion at Ohio State University and lead author of the study. "The public health benefit clearly comes from a comprehensive policy where all employees are protected from exposure to environmental tobacco smoke." CONTACT: Emily Caldwell, (614) 292-8310. SEE: http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/smokejobs.htm

News

Three students win prestigious Fulbright-Hays grants. Three doctoral candidates from The Ohio State University have been awarded the prestigious Fulbright-Hays grant by the U.S. Department of Education. Matthew Curtis, Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Literatures, Amelia Hubbard, Department of Anthropology, and David McLaughlin, Department of Spanish and Portuguese, are the recipients of the Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad (DDRA) grants. These Fulbright-Hays DDRA awards represent over $105,000 in research funding for 2009-2010. There are only approximately 130 Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad awards given annually nationwide. For more information, visit oia.osu.edu or contact Maureen Miller at (614) 247-2462.

Events

Program helps spring graduates make the transition from college to workplace – May 20. Ohio State students will learn how to make the transition from student to professional at a one-day workshop especially designed for spring graduates. The program, "From Classmates to Colleagues: Life after College," includes workshops, panel discussions with employees and alumni, and a keynote address on "Transitioning into the Changing Economy." The program takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Recreation & Physical Activity Center, 337 W. 17th Ave. SEE: http://careers.osu.edu/page.asp?page=53§ion=10

Best-selling author Amy Tan to deliver lecture – May 22. Award-winning fiction writer Amy Tan will deliver the Ohio State's final lecture of the year in the 2008-09 Diversity Lecture & Cultural Arts Series at 7 p.m. on Friday (5/22) at Mershon Auditorium, 1871 N. High St. Tan's books include "The Joy Luck Club," "The Kitchen God's Wife," "The Hundred Secret Senses," "The Bonesetter's Daughter," and "Saving Fish from Drowning." She served as co-producer and co-screenwriter for the film adaptation of "The Joy Luck Club." Born in America to immigrant parents from China, Tan's current work includes writing a new novel. SEE: http://mcc.osu.edu/events/2009/5/22/the-president-and-provosts-2008-09-diversity-lecture-cultural-arts-series-presents-amy-tan/

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