The Effects of Workplace Smoking Bans on Exposure to Smoke
- Presenter:
Chair: Phil Cook; Discussant: TBA Mon June 5, 2006 15:30-17:00 Room 213
Rationale: In recent years, a number of states and localities have implemented bans on smoking in private workplaces. While these bans may have the effect of reducing own smoking, much of the motivation for adopting these bans was to reduce exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). Little research has comprehensively examined this issue while also paying attention to own smoking and the effect of other policies such as cigarette taxes.
Objectives: The objective of this paper is to examine the effect of state and local smoking bans in the workplace on exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, taking account of own smoking and other policies.
Methodology: This paper will use difference-in-differences methods to examine own smoking and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke before and after imposition of state and local bans on smoking in the workplace. We will study bans in California (and possibly other states) that staggered implementation in different types of workplaces, such as restaurants and stand-alone bars. We will use data from the California Tobacco Use Surveys, the Tobacco Use supplements to the Current Population Survey, and the California Department of Health Bar Establishment Surveys. We will combine these data with contextual information on smoking bans, cigarette taxes, and other public policies toward tobacco. Our empirical models will include controls for demographic characteristics and economic conditions as well as location and time.
Results: Preliminary results indicate that statewide bans on smoking in private worksites are associated with significant increases in the likelihood that affected workers report a complete ban on smoking at their worksite. For smoking bans that cover bars and restaurants, these increases appear particularly strong for specific groups of affected workers, such as bartenders and waiters/waitresses. When completed, this project will identify the degree to which these increases in reported ban presence have reduced own smoking and exposure to ETS. Preliminary results also suggest a sizable reduction in own smoking among bartenders and waitstaff after the California bans were implemented.
Conclusions: State and local bans on smoking in private worksites are becoming increasingly popular. While reducing exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is a main motivation for adoption of these bans, little research has carefully examined the effects. Our preliminary results from California suggest that these bans have been effective at increasing the likelihood that affected workers report comprehensive smoking restrictions at their place of work. The final goal of this research-understanding the degree to which these bans have ultimately been effective at reducing ETS exposure and own smoking-is important for a comprehensive evaluation of these policies.
