Responding to change: how did bar workers adapt to the smoke-free legislation in Scotland?

摘要

In recent years a number of countries have implemented comprehensive smoking bans to protect workers from adverse effects of exposure to second-hand smoke. It is also wel1 known that many key stakeholders working in hospitality settings are themselves smokers. This paper reports the findings of a longitudinal qualitative study conducted with bar workers fol1owing the implementation of smoke-free legislation in Scotland. It examines the effects of smoking prevalence and status on support for smoke-free legislation, and its impact on business and working practices as wel1 as bar workers' smoking behaviour both in and outside of the workplace. The results highlight a need for targeted assistance for businesses serving disadvantaged communities both to adapt commercial1y to the legislation and to provide cessation support to workers who smoke.