Background Few studies have examined smoking behaviour among bar workers, an occupational group traditionally exposed to high levels of secondhand smoke. This study set out to: (1) establish baseline prevalence of smoking and cigarette consumption among Cork bar workers prior to the introduction of the Republic of Ireland's (ROI) smokefree workplace legislation (29th March 2004);(2) compare gender-and age-specific smoking rates in Cork bar workers with the equivalent occupational classes within the general population; (3) estimate the adjusted odds of being a smoker for Cork bar workers relative to the general population.Methods A cross-sectional random sample of bar workers in Cork city and a cross-sectional random telephone survey of the general population (ROI) were conducted prior to the smokefree legislation.Results 129 bar workers were enrolled and 1240 individuals from the general population. Self reported smoking prevalence among Cork bar workers was 54% (58% using cotinine-validated measures), with particularly high rates in women (70%) and 18 to 28 year olds (72%). The overall self reported rates in the general population sub-sample were substantially lower at 28%; 28% in women and 36% among 18 to 28 year olds. Bar workers were twice as likely to be smokers as the general population sub-sample (adjusted odds ratio = 2.15, 95% CI 1.45 to 3.17).Conclusions Cork bar workers constitute an occupational group with an extremely high smoking prevalence. In addition to high secondhand smoke exposure prior to the smokefree legislation, this makes bar workers a high risk group for smoking-related illnesses.