Moore School of Business - Dr. Cotti's Work Cited in The Boston Globe

Cotti_C1 Recent work authored by Dr. Chad Cotti , clinical assistant professor of economics at the Moore School, which finds unintended consequences of smoking bans, made the news in the February 13 issue of The Boston Globe.

Cotti's research examined statistics of drunken-driving fatalities and accidents in areas where smoking bans in bars have been implemented and found that fatal drunken-driving accidents increased by about 13 percent, or about 2.5 such accidents per year for a typical county. The work was cited by writer Kevin Lewis in his column, "Uncommon Knowledge: Surprising Insights from the Social Sciences."

The explanation for the increase in drunken-driving fatalities can be found in literature on consumer behavior, the authors explain. Drinkers who smoke will drive farther to bars in nearby jurisdictions where smoking is permitted, or, will drive farther to visit establishments that circumvent the law by providing outdoor seating, for example.

While one might think that banning smoking would cause drinkers to stay home more, these results suggest otherwise, reflecting what Cotti refers to as "unintended consequences." Though the law’s intention is to effect positive change in behavior, "altering people’s incentives can result in unanticipated behavioral changes."

The research is described in an article, co-authored by Dr. Scott Adams of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Cotti, titled "Drunk Driving After the Passage of Smoking Bans in Bars," to be published in an upcoming issue of the Journal of Public Economics.

The research, described as "rigorous" by the Globe, is not a statement for or against bans, but suggests municipalities should be aware of unintended consequences and increased needs to address drunken driving.

Gail Crouch
February 2008

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Dr. Cotti's Work Cited in The Boston Globe