Effects of a Smoke-Free Law on Hair Nicotine and Respiratory Symptoms of Restaurant and Bar Workers

Objective: Bar and restaurant workers' exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) was compared before and 3 and 6 months after implementation of a smoke-free ordinance. Methods: Hair nicotine, self-reported exposure to SHS, and respiratory symptoms were assessed on 105 smoking and nonsmoking workers fr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of occupational and environmental medicine 2006-09, Vol.48 (9), p.906-913
Main Authors: Hahn, Ellen J., Rayens, Mary Kay, York, Nancy, Okoli, Chizimuzo T. C., Zhang, Mei, Dignan, Mark, Al-Delaimy, Wael K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Bans
Bars
Biological and medical sciences
Female
Hair - chemistry
Human exposure
Humans
Kentucky
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Nicotine - metabolism
Occupational Exposure
Occupational health
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Respiratory Tract Diseases - etiology
Restaurants
Smoking - legislation & jurisprudence
Tobacco smoke
Tobacco Smoke Pollution - adverse effects
Tobacco, tobacco smoking
Toxicology
Workers
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Summary:Objective: Bar and restaurant workers' exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) was compared before and 3 and 6 months after implementation of a smoke-free ordinance. Methods: Hair nicotine, self-reported exposure to SHS, and respiratory symptoms were assessed on 105 smoking and nonsmoking workers from randomly selected establishments in Lexington, Kentucky. Thirty-eight percent were current smokers with more than half smoking 10 or fewer cigarettes per day. Workers provided a hair sample at baseline and at the 3-month interview. Results: There was a significant decline in hair nicotine 3 months postlaw when controlling for cigarettes smoked per day. Bar workers showed a significantly larger decline in hair nicotine compared with restaurant workers. The only significant decline in SHS exposure was in the workplace and other public places. Regardless of smoking status, respiratory symptoms declined significantly postlaw. Conclusions: Hospitality workers demonstrated significant declines in hair nicotine and respiratory symptoms after the law. Comprehensive smoke-free laws can provide the greatest protection to bar workers who are the most vulnerable to SHS exposure at work.
ISSN:1076-2752
1536-5948
DOI:10.1097/01.jom.0000215709.09305.01