Impact of an Indoor Smoking Ban on Bar Workers' Exposure to Secondhand Smoke

Objective: To evaluate the impact of an indoor smoke free bylaw in Toronto, Ontario, implemented June 2004. Methods: We used a pre-post comparison design to assess secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure among 79 eligible bar workers in Toronto, Ontario (bylaw enacted), anal 49 eligible bar workers in a control community, Windsor; Ontario and bylaw change), at four times: preban, and 1, 2 and 9 months postban., Results: SHS exposure time and urinary cotinine level, were substantially reduced in Toronto bar workers immediately after the ban h 94% (from 7.8 to 0.5 hours) and 68% (from, 24.2 to 7.8 ng/mL), respectively. The reduction was sustained throughout, follow-up. There, was no change among Windsor bar workers before and after the ban. Conclusions: Compliance with the ban was high, and the ban led to a, substantial reduction in SHS exposure. (J Occup Environ Med. 2009;51:612-619)