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Abstract #152254

Jennifer K. Ibrahim, PhD MPH MA¹, David Zanis, PhD², Michael Burri, PhD³, and Thurman Brendlinger, MBA³. (1) Department of Public Health, Temple University, 304D 1700 North Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19122, 215-204-9657, jibrahim@temple.edu, (2) School of Social Administration, Temple University, 234 Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA 17101, (3) Clean Air Council, 135 South 19th St., Suite 300, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Background: Employees in the hospitality industry are disproportionately exposed to secondhand smoke, thereby increasing their risk of tobacco-related morbidity and mortality, regardless of smoking status. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of an educational training for hospitality workers on the health consequences of secondhand smoke exposure and ways to advocate for smoke-free workplaces.

Methods: A convenience sample of restaurants and bars in Southeastern Pennsylvania resulted in the screening of 293 employees. A response rate of 15% provided 44 hospitality employees to participate in one of eight training sessions. Follow-up assessment was conducted after 90 days to determine knowledge retention and if employees had taken action to change workplace smoking policies.

Results: Knowledge on the health impact of secondhand smoke improved from baseline (40.9%) to follow-up (55.2%). In terms of advocating for smoke-free workplaces, 87% of participants talked with a co-worker about secondhand smoke compared to 74% at baseline; 52% of workers engaged in discussions with their owner/manager within 90 days prior to the assessment as compared to 40% at baseline. Lastly, 35% of participants contacted an elected official within 90 days post training compared to no contact in the period before the training.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that educational trainings for hospitality workers can increase knowledge of secondhand smoke and advocacy efforts among bar and restaurant workers. While cities and states nationwide are working outside of bars and restaurants to advance smoke-free workplace policies, a potential new resource is the employees who work within the establishments.

Learning Objectives:

• • Assess current levels of knowledge about the dangers of secondhand smoke among employees in the hospitality industry.
• • Discuss current efforts from hospitality employees to make changes in their workplace smoking policies.
• • Review strategies to assist employees in the hospitality to better educate fellow employees and advocate for smoke-free policies within the workplace.
• • Consider how an educational training could be used in other industries to reduce the negative impacts of tobacco.

Keywords: Tobacco Policy, Tobacco Control

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.