Greater gains from smoke-free legislation for non-smoking bar staff in Belfast.
BACKGROUND
In April 2007, smoke-free legislation was enacted in workplaces throughout N. Ireland. The effects of this legislation on bar workers' health and their exposure to second-hand smoke at home, work and social environment, and their attitudes to the legislation before and after its implementation remain to be documented.


METHODS
A self-completed questionnaire of bar staff in 35 Belfast bars, before (March 2007, n = 110) and after the legislation (July 2007, n = 110).


RESULTS
Smokers (excluding 'social smokers') made up 41.6% of respondents. After the introduction of the smoke-free legislation, the reductions in the proportion of bar workers reporting various respiratory symptoms ranged from 1.3% to 18.6% for smokers and from 21.9% to 33.2% for non-smokers. Likewise, the reductions for various sensory symptoms ranged from 7.3% to 17.7% for smokers and from 29.6% to 46.8% for non-smokers. Reduction in wheeze, cough and throat symptoms after the legislation were much greater for non-smokers than smokers. The proportion of bar staff who reported satisfaction with the legislation remained unchanged across the surveys. Decreases in perceived exposure to second-hand smoke occurred at work, home and in social settings. After the legislation's enactment, a majority of bar workers felt the workplace was healthier (98%).


CONCLUSIONS
These first findings show reduced reported symptoms among bar workers, both smokers and non-smokers, after the introduction of smoke-free legislation in N. Ireland, though greater among non-smokers. There was also a reported fall in the hours of second-hand smoke exposure in the home for this group of workers which has a high prevalence of smokers.
Bannon
Finian
F
Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. f.j.bannon@qub.ac.uk
Devlin
Anne
A
McElwee
Gerry
G
Gavin
Anna
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009660:Northern Ireland; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012147:Restaurants / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution