Community Faces and Voices: Evaluation of Hospitality Worker Advocacy Training

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.