 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Ellen J. Hahn, DNS, RN, Mary Kay Rayens, PhD, and Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli, MSN, RN. College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, 760 Rose Street, Lexington, KY 40536-0232, 859-257-2358, ejhahn00@pop.uky.edu
This descriptive study assessed the level of secondhand smoke exposure among restaurant and bar workers from three communities with different policy environments. Three communities were identified based on type of policy restriction: (a) existence of a local smoke-free restaurant/bar ordinance (Morgantown, West Virginia); (b) relatively high proportion of smoke-free establishments (voluntary restrictions, Lexington, Kentucky); and (c) relatively low proportion of smoke-free establishments (voluntary restrictions, Owensboro, Kentucky). Four recruitment methods were compared: radio ads, campus newspaper ads, flyers at food handlers’ classes, and direct mail to owners or managers. Participants were selected using quota sampling, with smoking prevalence and the type of establishment (serving alcohol vs. not serving alcohol) as sampling variables. Inclusion criteria included age (at least 18), number of hours worked per week (10 hours), and length of employment (at least 30 days). Eligible restaurant and bar workers (N = 500) were asked to provide a small hair sample (10-50 mg) and complete a self-report questionnaire at their local health department. Hair samples were analyzed for nicotine, and participants were paid $30. It was hypothesized that the stricter the community smoke-free policy, the less exposed restaurant and bar workers are to secondhand smoke, as evidenced by hair nicotine analysis. Findings and challenges of this type of research will be presented.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Tobacco Policy, Workplace Safety
Related Web page: www.mc.uky.edu/tobaccopolicy
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Robert Wood Johnson Developing Leadership in Reducing Substance Abuse Program