title: Workplace exposure to secondhand smoke among non-smoking hospitality employees.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This article examines salivary cotinine concentrations to characterize secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure among non-smoking hospitality employees (bar and casino employees and musicians who perform in bars) who are exposed to SHS in the workplace.
  
  
  METHODS
  A pre-post test study design was implemented to assess SHS exposure in the workplace. The convenience sample of 41 non-smoking hospitality employees included 10 controls (non-smoking hospitality employees not exposed to SHS in the workplace).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings demonstrate that post-shift saliva cotinine levels of hospitality employees who are exposed to SHS in the workplace are significantly higher than controls who work in smoke-free venues. Findings also suggested a statistically significant increase between pre- and post-shift saliva cotinine levels of hospitality employees who are exposed in the workplace. No statistically significant difference was noted across labor categories, suggesting that all exposed employees are at increased risk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study results indicate that non-smoking hospitality employees exposed to SHS in the workplace have significantly higher cotinine concentration levels compared with their counterparts who work in smoke-free venues. Findings from other studies suggest that these increased cotinine levels are harmful to health. Given the potential impact on the health of exposed employees, this study further supports the efforts of tobacco prevention and control programs in advocating for comprehensive smoke-free air policies to protect bar and casino employees.
authors.affiliation: National Network of Public Health Institutes, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA. nlawhorn@nnphi.org
authors.forename: Nikki A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Lawhorn
authors.forename: David K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Lirette
authors.forename: Jenna L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Klink
authors.forename: Chih-Yang
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Cassandra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Contreras
authors.forename: Ty-Runet Pinkney
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Ajori Bryant
authors.forename: Lisanne F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: James H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Diaz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D017132:Workplace; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution