title: Exposure to tobacco smoke and prevalence of symptoms decreased among Finnish restaurant workers after the smoke-free law.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The impact of tobacco legislation and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in bars and restaurants were assessed in a national survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaire surveys among restaurant workers were conducted in 2007 before the smoking ban, and in 2009.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The exposure to ETS decreased significantly after the launch of the 2007 smoke-free law. During 2007-2009, the prevalence of those restaurant workers with no exposure increased from 54% to 82% (P-value < 0.0001), and among bartenders from 10% to 70% (P < 0.0001). Employees exposed daily for more than 4 hr decreased from 24% to 4% (P < 0.0001) and from 67% to 9% among bartenders (P < 0.0001). The prevalence of respiratory symptoms decreased from 18% to 4% (P < 0.0001) and of eye symptoms from 23% to 6% (P < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reform of tobacco legislation in 2007, which prohibited smoking in restaurants and bars, significantly decreased the exposure to ETS and the prevalence of symptoms among restaurant workers.
authors: Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Jere P
authors: JP
authors: Reijula
authors: Tom S-E
authors: TS
authors: Johnsson
authors: P Simo
authors: PS
authors: Kaleva
authors: Kari E
authors: KE
authors: Reijula
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015995:Prevalence; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D012147:Restaurants / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution