Three Months After Implementation
Finalize any plans for evaluating the new law during its first year. Useful studies to undertake may include:
Compliance
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Conduct an observational study.
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Use an existing health survey that has relevant questions, such as the Adult Tobacco Survey (ATS) or Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), or add questions to such a survey. Be sure you understand the rules of public access to your results, and carefully choose the appropriate questions to use in your survey.
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Analyze enforcement agency records to assess compliance rates.
Assessing public support
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Use an existing health survey that has relevant questions, such as the Adult Tobacco Survey (ATS) or Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), or add questions to such a survey.
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If money is available for this purpose, conduct your own public opinion survey (or use these sample survey questions).
Indoor Air Quality Testing
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Borrow, rent or buy equipment and software to test air quality. Remember that this works best if you compare air quality before and after the smoke-free law takes effect. Visit TobaccoFreeAir.com and these online resources for more information.
Employee Health
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Demonstrate impact on hospitality workers' health using self-collected, mailed-in saliva cotinine specimens plus a telephone survey assessing secondhand smoke exposure. Again, before and after data is essential.
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Study cotinine in urine combined with personal interviews, both before and after the law takes effect.
Conduct an “Operation Bar-Hop”
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Coordinate a casual, non-scientific survey of local bars—a fun way to celebrate the new law, assess business volume, and garner media attention. Legislators and local leaders will be interested to hear about the locales surveyed.
See what you need to do six months after implementation
