The impact of tobacco use and secondhand smoke on hospitality workers.
Tobacco use has a substantial impact on hospitality industry employees because of the disproportionate prevalence of smoking among these workers and because of the high levels of secondhand smoke to which they are exposed. The severity of this impact is evidenced by the high mortality rates observed among hospitality industry workers from diseases related to tobacco smoke exposure. Several states and localities have begun to enact laws to protect these workers from secondhand smoke exposure. Such policies seem to be effective in reducing exposure and improving health among these workers without causing any adverse impact on business. Occupational clinicians can play a significant role in protecting the health of hospitality workers by supporting laws to create smoke-free workplaces, including bars and restaurants, and promoting smoking cessation in these worksites.
Siegel
Michael
M
Social and Behavioral Sciences Department, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, TW2 Boston, MA 02118, USA. mbsiegel@bu.edu
Barbeau
Elizabeth M
EM
Osinubi
Omowunmi Y
OY
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012147:Restaurants / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000150:complications*; D017132:Workplace / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution