Impact of Michigan's Smoke-free Air Law on Bar Employee Health

Scorcia-Wilson, Theresa

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Exhibit Hall (Kansas City Convention Center)

Dr. Theresa Scorcia-Wilson, Ph.D., MPH , Tobacco Section, Michigan Department of Community Health, Lansing , MI

Farid Shamo, MB ChB, MSc, MPH , Tobacco Prevention and Control Program, Michigan Department of Community Health, Lansing, MI

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this presentation attendees will be able to:

Describe how cotinine and NNAL (a tobacco-specific carcinogen) are biomarkers for measuring exposure to secondhand smoke. Develop a protocol for assessing differences in cotinine and NNAL levels among hospitality employees before and after a state smoke-free bar and restaurant law is implemented. Develop and implement a survey among hospitality employees to assess their general and respiratory health status before and after a smoke-free bar and restaurant law is implemented. Determine the impact of a state smoke-free law on the health of hospitality employees.

Cross Cutting Program Area(s): Evaluation and Surveillance and Tobacco Control Policies

Audience: Local and state tobacco policy evaluators; local and state tobacco control staff that are working on the adoption, implementation and evaluation of local and state smoke-free air policies

Key Points: Cotinine and NNAL are two valid chemical biomarkers used to measure levels of exposure to secondhand smoke. Bar employees in 12 Michigan counties were recruited to participate in the study through flyers and individual discussions with local health department staff. Participants completed a screening questionnaire to determine eligibility. Forty eligible employees completed a demographic survey, provided urine samples for analysis of cotinine and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) and completed questionnaires on respiratory and general health status six weeks before and six to ten weeks after the law went into effect. There was a significant decrease in the mean cotinine levels from 35.9 ng/ml to a non-detectable value (p < .001), and there was a significant reduction in the mean NNAL level from .086 pmol/ml to .034 pmol/ml (p < .001) two months after implementation of the law. There was also a significant improvement in all six self-reported respiratory symptoms (p < .001) and general health status (p<.001).

Educational Experience: The audience will learn the key points of the presentation through a lecture and question and answer format.

Benefits: The audience will observe the benefits of a state smoke-free air law on bar employee health. The audience will understand how to determine the impact of a state smoke-free air law on employee health.

326 Impact of Michigan's Smoke-free Air Law on Bar Employee Health