The poll found that more than 70 percent of respondents believed non-smokers and smokers should be accommodated in designated areas in restaurants and/or hotel guest rooms and nearly 80 percent think good ventilation can have an impact on solving smoking issues. Among the 71 percent of respondents who favored designated smoking and non-smoking sections, 58 percent believed that it recognizes individual choice, 24 percent believe it accommodates everyone and 14 percent considered it preferable because they felt it was fair.

"Good restaurants become great because they do their best to honor all customer choices," said Christianne Ricchi, Chairperson of DRNA. "DiRoNA award restaurants are committed to providing customers with a superior dining experience. Accommodating the preferences of both non-smokers and smokers enables us to do that." Several key findings emerged from the "Smoking in Hospitality Establishments" poll:
 

The poll results confirm that the majority of Americans believe hospitality business owners should have the right to choose their own business policies -- such as whether or not to permit smoking -- and that government intrusion isn't needed or wanted by the public.

"It's ironic that our organization is in Boston for our annual DiRoNA awards reunion considering the impending smoking ban," said Paul Athanas, whose family owns Anthony's Pier 4 in Boston, a DiRoNA award restaurant.

"Members of the hospitality industry know that we must cater to our customers choices in order to remain successful, and my customers are not happy about having their choices taken away."

"The industry recognizes the fact that smoke can be bothersome to non-smokers. Our experience shows that ventilation can play an important role in providing a comfortable and inviting atmosphere in places where smoking is permitted," said Ricchi. "These poll results validate that view and demonstrate that our customers believe good ventilation to be a part of reasonable accommodation."

DRNA is a non-profit organization established in 1990 to raise dining standards and promote upscale dining throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. The DiRoNA award is awarded to restaurants that have passed independent and anonymous inspections. There are 36 professionally trained and qualified inspectors visiting restaurants and conducting inspections throughout North America.

The poll was conducted by Roper Starch Worldwide and was funded with a grant from The Accommodation Program, courtesy of Philip Morris U.S.A. The poll was conducted by telephone among a nationally representative sample of 1008 adults, 21 years of age or older.