The Mandate trade union has welcomed a US report that contradicts earlier research on the impact of smoking legislation on New York hospitality businesses.
A review of New York City's experience, a year after the ban was introduced, indicated an increase of 8.7 per cent in business tax receipts taken in the city's restaurants and bars.
The report examined data on tax receipts, employment, openings and closures of bars and restaurants and compliance with the legislation.
It was published by the New York City of Finance, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Department of Small Business Services and the Economic Development Corporation.
Employment data from the New York State Department of Labour also reported an increase in employment in restaurants and bars from March to December 2003.
The results contradict earlier research commissioned by Irish hospitality interests claiming a 10 per cent decline in waiting staff and bartenders since the New York City legislation was introduced.
According to John Douglas, Mandate's National Official: "Towards the end of last year, Irish hospitality interests cited so-called independent research as proof of the negative effect NYC's tobacco control legislation was having on employment in the sector.
"New York City's experience puts economic arguments about the negative impact of this type of legislation on this sector to bed," he added.
Mr Douglas said: "Fundamentally, it [the report] shows that smoke-free workplace legislation is not linked to adverse economic effects on the hospitality sector."