In September 2001, an article in a local weekly newspaper reported on a study of ventilation system performance at 40 restaurants in southwest Boston suburbs. The restaurants, which included national chains as well as local "mom and pop" shops, had volunteered to participate. The purpose of the study was to determine whether nicotine and other air contaminants generated in the smoking section would migrate to non-smoking areas. The results would be used to help local regulators determine whether individual restaurants complied with local restaurant smoking regulations.