Exposure to tobacco smoke fell 95 percent among nonsmoking hospitality workers in England after an indoor smoking ban went into effect in July, Occupational Health reported in its October 2007 issue.

Researchers from the Tobacco Control Collaborating Center found a dramatic drop-off in levels of cotinine -- a marker for nicotine exposure -- in blood samples from hospitality workers. Prior to the ban, researchers estimated that workers in bars and restaurants were exposed to the equivalent of about 190 cigarettes each year.

About half of workers and 80 percent of customers said their health has improved since the indoor-smoking ban was enacted.