The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: To determine prevalence of smoking among bar workers in the Republic and Northern Ireland before and one year after Europe's first legislative ban on workplace smoking.

To determine the impact of the legislation on smoking behaviour among bar workers.

To examine factors influencing smoking behaviour among a random sample of bar workers compared to the general population.

Methods: Smoking (self-report and cotinine) and smoking rates were compared before and one year after the legislation in bar workers in three areas in the Republic (intervention) and one area in Northern Ireland (control). In one of the areas, Cork, the sample was collected randomly (N=129), enabling comparisons with the general population and more detailed analysis on influences of socioeconomic factors on smoking behaviour.

Results: 329 bar workers were enrolled at baseline; 249 (76%) were followed-up. Prevalence of smoking in these bar workers was 35.9% at baseline and dropped significantly to 31.4% at follow-up (p=0.02). The mean number of cigarettes also dropped significantly from 18 to 15 (p<0.001). Among the Cork bar workers (random sample) the prevalence of smoking was 54% pre-ban (24.2% in general population), with no significant drop post-ban (p=0.125). However there was a significant drop in number of cigarettes consumed, from 18 to 14. Female bar workers had a higher prevalence (70%) of smoking than males (52.8%) but males were heavier smokers.