The short-term impact of national smoke-free workplace legislation on passive smoking and tobacco use.
OBJECTIVE
This study sought to evaluate the short-term impact of national smoke-free workplace legislation on employee exposure to environmental tobacco smoke at work and on employee smoking habits.


METHODS
We performed 2 cross-sectional studies in 9 medium-sized and large Finnish workplaces, before and after implementation of national smoke-free workplace legislation. We assessed tobacco smoke exposure via questionnaire and indoor air nicotine measurements.


RESULTS
Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke declined considerably after the legislation was implemented. Tobacco consumption among smokers diminished. Nicotine concentrations fell significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
Legislation was more efficient than voluntary workplace-specific smoking restrictions in reducing passive smoking and cigarette consumption.
Heloma
A
A
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki. ahel@occuphealth.fi
Jaakkola
M S
MS
Kähkönen
E
E
Reijula
K
K
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D015995:Prevalence; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017132:Workplace / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution