Formative evaluation of the District of Columbia's indoor smoking ban on bar employee respiratory health

Bartenders remain the only occupational group in the United States with less than 15% smoke-free workplace coverage. Evidence suggests that this occupation also has the highest ETS exposure concentration. On January 2, 2007, Washington D.C. implemented a district-wide ban of indoor smoking in all bars, restaurants, and pool halls, providing a unique opportunity to examine the impact of a new policy on a high exposure group. This study tested the hypothesis that implementation of an indoor smoking ban significantly reduced ETS exposure and associated sensory and respiratory symptoms for D.C.'s 1,950 bartenders. Using a one-group pre/post test design with participants as their own controls, a convenience sample of non-smoking bartenders and barbacks was collected in December 2006 and February 2007(n=58). The researcher assessed respiratory and sensory symptoms using a modified International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Bronchial Symptoms Questionnaire. ETS exposure was correlated to symptoms with salivary cotinine samples collected at the bars. Due to a high compliance with the law and the overall youth and good health of the sample, anticipated results include a significant drop in salivary cotinine levels (p=0.05) and a possible non-significant reduction in sensory and respiratory symptoms. This formative evaluation of a new health policy intervention could add to the evidence for the positive benefits of smoke-free indoor air laws for food service employees and support similar smoke-free indoor air laws in the United States.