There are 25 states plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico that have passed a state law requiring 100% smoke-free restaurants and bars.

Click here for a comprehensive list of all smoke-free states or visit the smoke-free map section of the website.

The 1986 U.S. Surgeon General’s report on involuntary smoking was the first to conclude that secondhand smoke is a cause of disease in healthy nonsmokers. The 2006 Surgeon General’s report confirmed what hundreds of studies and dozens of distinguished scientific and medical organizations have concluded for twenty years – that secondhand smoke is a serious health hazard, responsible for lung cancer, heart disease and respiratory illness in nonsmokers. There is no longer any debate. The scientific evidence on the health risks associated with secondhand smoke is massive and conclusive and the only way to protect people is to eliminate their exposure.

Health Effects of Smoke-free Bars in Wisconsin
Karen Palmersheim PhD, Mark Wegner MD MPH, Patrick Remington MD MPH

Summary
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Objective – To assess the impact of a smoke-free workplace ordinance on bartenders’ exposure to secondhand smoke and upper respiratory tract symptoms.

Methods – Data were collected from bartenders working in Appleton and Madison, Wisconsin employing a cross-sectional research design. Pre-ordinance data were collected 2 months before the July 1, 2005 ordinance; post-ordinance data were collected approximately one year later. Findings were extrapolated to the statewide population of bartenders.

www.tturc.umn.edu
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
Cancer Center

Carcinogen and Nicotine Exposure in Hospitality Workers Before and After the State Comprehensive Smoking Ban University of Minnesota

Dorothy Hatsukami, Joni Jensen, Stephen Hecht, Sharon Murphy

Background

Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) has been an increasing public health concern over the past several years. Legislation has been passed in some communities restricting the amount of ETS exposure in certain work and public venues, but restaurant and bars have often been exempt from these regulations. As of October 1, 2007 Minnesota passed a bill to provide smoke‐free public places, including bars and restaurants.