Short communication Behavioral effects of nicotine exposure from secondhand tobacco smoke among bar and restaurant workers Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli a,b, ⁎ , Mary Kay Rayens a , Ellen J. Hahn a a University of Kentucky, College of Nursing, 760 Rose Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA b University of British Columbia, 302–6190 Agronomy Rd, Vancouver, Canada BC V6T 1Z3 Abstract This study explores the behavioral effects of nicotine exposure from secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS) on bar and restaurant workers. Baseline data were obtained from a longitudinal study of 105 bar and restaurant workers. Hair nicotine, self-reported SHS exposure, smoking status, symptoms of nicotine exposure after being exposed to a smoky environment, and nicotine dependence were assessed. Nonsmokers reporting four or more symptoms of nicotine exposure had higher hair nicotine levels than those reporting less than four symptoms. Nonsmokers with higher hair nicotine levels were 2.2 times more likely to report 4 or more behavioral symptoms. Self-reported secondhand tobacco smoke exposure and hair nicotine were not predictive of nicotine dependence among smokers. Nicotine exposure from secondhand tobacco smoke may have important behavioral outcomes in nonsmokers. This study provides further evidence for the importance of prohibiting smoking in hospitality venues to protect the health of workers. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Secondhand tobacco smoke; Nicotine dependence; Behavioral effects 1. Introduction Nicotine is the drug in tobacco primarily responsible for addiction (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1988) and acute doses of the drug produce subjective effects (e.g., head rush and Addictive Behaviors 32 (2007) 1922 – 1928 ⁎ Corresponding author. University of British Columbia, 302–6190 Agronomy Rd, Vancouver, Canada BC V6T 1Z3. Tel.: +1 604 822 0514; fax: +1 604 822 7869. E-mail address: chizimuzo.okoli@nursing.ubc.ca (C.T.C. Okoli). 0306-4603/$ - see front matter © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2006.12.013