The California Smoke-Free Workplace Law, implemented in January of 1995, prohibits smoking in most places of employment. The law was broadened in 1998 to protect bar, lounge, restaurant and nightclub employees. Enforcement of the law is the responsibility of each local jurisdiction in the state. The Los Angeles County Tobacco Control Program collects complaints, issues letters to violating establishments, and notifies local law enforcement jurisdictions for each violation. An annual survey of Los Angeles County bars and restaurants was initiated in 1998 to monitor ongoing compliance with the California Smoke-Free Workplace Law. The serial cross-sectional survey design uses a random sample of Los Angeles County establishments licensed with the California Alcoholic Beverage Control. The survey instrument consists of seven site inspection and five interview items. The surveys are conducted by trained staff from the Los Angeles County Environmental Health Division. TCP uses compliance data to identify opportunities for targeted intervention and develop enforcement support campaigns that focus on bars and restaurants, local law enforcement, and the general public. This session will present the results of the compliance trends over the last four years. In addition, the session will present challenges to supporting enforcement and TCP's ongoing efforts to support compliance that include a bar and restaurant newsletter, extensive print and radio media campaigns, and law enforcement training. See www.lapublichealth.org
Learning Objectives: During this session, the presenters will discuss how to: (1) use compliance data to design more effective interventions; (2) collaborate with the media, law enforcement, court system, building & code inspection, and other public institution to devise enforcement strategies; and (3) apply the strategies learned from the Los Angeles experience to other large urban communities.
Keywords: Tobacco Legislation, Tobacco Policy
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None