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If you can't sell an ashtray ...

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published January 24, 2007

CLEVELAND - One man's inspiration to stop smoking can be another man's business opportunity - from hypnotists to makers of cigarette-substitute products, antismoking pills, nicotine-replacement therapies and more - though it's too soon to say whether tougher smoking bans will translate into bigger business.

Ohio, Arizona and Nevada passed comprehensive smoking bans in the November election, joining several other states, including Florida, in banning smoking in various private workplaces.

The National Bureau of Economic Research Inc. a year ago estimated smoking-cessation ventures had retail sales of nearly $1-billion annually and were spending more than $100-million annually on advertising.

Sales of nicotine-reduction therapies including nonprescription Nicorette gum and NicoDerm CQ patch, and the prescription drug Zyban have spiked where smoking bans are in place, said Jennifer May of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, which makes those products.

Sales research company MarketResearch. com recently estimated that sales of over-the-counter smoking-cessation products will grow to $809-million nationally by 2009, up from $799-million in 2004.

Hypnotist Rich Guzzi advertised his quit-smoking act at Cleveland comedy club Pickwick & Frolic right next to a new "no smoking" sign Ohio's law requires. Guzzi says he hopes to help 100,000 people nationwide quit smoking at $50 per ticket.

Orders for "No Smoking" signs surged and sales of artificial cigarettes and nicotine reduction filters were strong last year at QuitSmoking.com, which sells quitting products, said president Fred Kelley.

Ray Tucke, president of Laser Innovations in Bradenton, is getting a piece of the quit-smoking market by using lasers on points on the body that he thinks helps smokers stop. "We're getting more interest lately," Tucke said.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia restrict smoking in certain places, ranging from limited restrictions, such as requiring designated smoking areas in government buildings, to laws that ban smoking in virtually all public buildings, workplaces, restaurants and bars. The American Lung Association, which tracks legislation on tobacco issues, had these tallies of smoking bans or restrictions in private buildings in early January:

Banned in workplaces, restaurants andbars: Arizona (effective in May), Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, NewJersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island and Washington.

Banned in restaurants and bars: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maine and Vermont.

Banned in private workplaces: Montana, North Dakota, SouthDakota, and the District of Columbia.

Banned in private workplaces and restaurants: Florida, Utah, Louisiana and Nevada.

Banned in restaurants: Arkansas and Idaho.

[Last modified January 23, 2007, 23:20:18]