Tobacco smoke exposure in nonsmoking hospitality workers before and after a state smoking ban.
Secondhand smoke exposure is estimated to account for 3,000 cancer deaths per year. Although several countries and states in the United States have passed comprehensive smoke-free laws to protect all employees, a significant number of workers are still not protected. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of passing a comprehensive smoking ban that included bars and restaurants on biomarkers of nicotine and carcinogen exposure. The urines of nonsmoking employees (n = 24) of bars and restaurants that allowed smoking before the smoke-free law were analyzed before and after the law was passed in Minnesota. The results showed significant reductions in both total cotinine and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (free plus glucuronidated) after the ban was instituted. These results provide further support for the importance of protecting employees working in all venues.
Jensen
Joni A
JA
Tobacco Use Research Center, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware Street South East, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA.
Schillo
Barbara A
BA
Moilanen
Molly M
MM
Lindgren
Bruce R
BR
Murphy
Sharon
S
Carmella
Steven
S
Hecht
Stephen S
SS
Hatsukami
Dorothy K
DK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003367:Cotinine / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009602:Nitrosamines / Q000652:urine*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011725:Pyridines / Q000652:urine*; D012147:Restaurants / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control; D017132:Workplace / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D055815:Young Adult
D009602:Nitrosamines; D011725:Pyridines; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; C099565:4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butan-1-ol; D003367:Cotinine