Regulation of smoking in public venues.

During the past decade, many countries have adopted smoking bans to protect patrons and workers from secondhand smoke (SHS) in restaurants and other alcohol-serving establishments. Without the protection of such bans, employees of bars and restaurants in comparison with all other occupational groups have the highest levels of exposure to SHS. One of the initiators of smoking prohibitions in bars was California in the United States. The impetus for promulgation of the California law came about as a result of concerns about the potential adverse health effects of exposure to secondhand smoke. Levels of SHS exposure among U.S. nonsmokers have fallen substantially in the past two decades. Nevertheless, millions of nonsmokers in all countries worldwide remain exposed to SHS in workplaces and public spaces. Public health policies aim to increase the protection of all nonsmokers from this potential serious health hazard in alcohol-serving establishments and restaurants through promotion of smoke-free (SF) legislation. In July 1994, California passed Labor Code 6413.5, which stated general provisions for the responsibilities of employers regarding exposure of employees to SHS in most work settings. On 1stJanuary 1998, the code extended SF protection to workers in restaurants, bars, and gaming facilities not under the control of sovereign Native American tribes. This expanded regulation became known as the Smoke- Free Bars Law. Initially, proprietors of alcohol-serving establishments in California expressed concern that they would lose substantial numbers of customers who smoked. Yet, patrons have continued to support smoke-free establishments and no significant negative financial impacts from the law have ensued. California's success and growing endorsement of this legislation was followed by the introduction of similar laws in other states and, eventually, diffusion into the international realm. Implementation of comprehensive smoke-free policies in alcohol-serving establishments is on the rise internationally. A summary of comprehensive smoking bans in eight European countries plus New Zealand is as follows: Ireland: On 29th March 2004, smoking bans included restaurants and pubs, with no provisions for designated smoking rooms. Before this ban, Ireland had prohibited smoking in public buildings, schools, hospitals, aircraft, and some trains. Finland: In March 2000, Finnish legislators amended their Tobacco Control Act of 1995 to include prohibitions of smoking in restaurants and bars. The Act was later amended on 1st July 2003, to allow smoking in establishments with structurally isolated designated areas. Norway: A 1988 law banned smoking in public buildings, workplaces, and public transportation facilities in Norway. This law was later expanded to a total ban on smoking in all restaurants, bars and cafes as of 1stJune 2004. New Zealand: The country's 2003 Smoke-Free Environments Amendment Act (SEAA) banned smoking in offices, retail workplaces, bars, casinos, members' clubs, restaurants, and nearly all other work establishments as of 10th December 2004. Scotland: The Smoking, Health and Social Care Act of 2005 banned smoking in enclosed or substantially enclosed public places including pubs and restaurants; this bill was enforced beginning in March 2006. …