Effects of restaurant and bar smoking regulations on exposure to environmental tobacco smoke among Massachusetts adults.
OBJECTIVE
We examined the association of local restaurant and bar regulations with self-reported exposure to environmental tobacco smoke among adults.


METHODS
Data were derived from a telephone survey involving a random sample of Massachusetts households.


RESULTS
Compared with adults from towns with no restaurant smoking restrictions, those from towns with strong regulations had more than twice the odds of reporting nonexposure to environmental tobacco smoke (odds ratio [OR]=2.74; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.97, 3.80), and those from towns with some restrictions had 1.62 times the odds of reporting nonexposure (OR=1.62; 95% CI=1.29, 2.02). Bar smoking bans had even greater effects on exposure.


CONCLUSIONS
Strong local clean indoor air regulations were associated with lower levels of reported exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in restaurants and bars.
Albers
Alison B
AB
Social and Behavioral Sciences Department, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany St, TW2, Boston, MA 02118, USA. aalbers@bu.edu
Siegel
Michael
M
Cheng
Debbie M
DM
Rigotti
Nancy A
NA
Biener
Lois
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D008875:Middle Aged; D012147:Restaurants / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012907:Smoking / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution