Abstract
Objective: In 2012, North Dakota enacted a comprehensive statewide law prohibiting smoking in enclosed public places. Disparities in tobacco control exist in rural areas. This study's objective was to determine the extent to which the passage of a comprehensive, statewide, smoke-free law in a predominantly rural state influenced tobacco smoke pollution in rural and nonrural venues. Design and Sample: A longitudinal cohort design study comparing the levels of tobacco smoke pollution before and after passage of the statewide smoke-free law was conducted in 64 restaurants and bars statewide in North Dakota. Measures: Particulate matter with a median aerodynamic diameter of <2.5 μm (a valid atmospheric marker of tobacco smoke pollution) was assessed. Results: A significant 83% reduction in tobacco smoke pollution levels occurred after passage of the law. Significant reductions in tobacco smoke pollution levels occurred in each of the rural categories; however, no difference by rurality was noted in the analysis after passage of the law, in contrast to the study before passage. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this was the largest, single, rural postlaw study globally. A comprehensive statewide smoke-free law implemented in North Dakota dramatically decreased the level of tobacco smoke pollution in bars and restaurants.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 166-175 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Public Health Nursing |
Volume | 34 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 1 2017 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- air pollution
- disease prevention
- environmental health
- health disparities
- health policy
- legislation
- rural health
- tobacco
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Nursing
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health