OBJECTIVE: To compare levels of particulate matter, as a marker of secondhand smoke (SHS) levels, in pubs before and 2 months after the implementation of Scottish legislation to prohibit smoking in substantially enclosed public places. DESIGN: Comparison of SHS levels before and after the legislation in a random selection of 41 pubs in 2 Scottish cities. METHODS: Fine particulate matter <2.5 microm in diameter (PM2.5) was measured discreetly for 30 min in each bar on 1 or 2 visits in the 8 weeks preceding the starting date of the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Act 2005 and then again 2 months after the ban. Repeat visits were undertaken on the same day of the week and at approximately the same time of the day. RESULTS: PM2.5 levels before the introduction of the legislation averaged 246 microg/m3 (range 8-902 microg/m3). The average level reduced to 20 microg/m3 (range 6-104 microg/m3) in the period after the ban. Levels of SHS were reduced in all 53 post-ban visits, with the average reduction being 86% (range 12-99%). PM2.5 concentrations in most pubs post-ban were comparable to the outside ambient air PM2.5 level. CONCLUSIONS: This study has produced the largest dataset of pre- and post-ban SHS levels in pubs of all worldwide smoke-free legislations introduced to date. Our results show that compliance with the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Act 2005 has been high and this has led to a marked reduction in SHS concentrations in Scottish pubs, thereby reducing both the occupational exposure of workers in the hospitality sector and that of non-smoking patrons.
OBJECTIVE: To compare levels of particulate matter, as a marker of secondhand smoke (SHS) levels, in pubs before and 2 months after the implementation of Scottish legislation to prohibit smoking in substantially enclosed public places. DESIGN: Comparison of SHS levels before and after the legislation in a random selection of 41 pubs in 2 Scottish cities. METHODS: Fine particulate matter <2.5 microm in diameter (PM2.5) was measured discreetly for 30 min in each bar on 1 or 2 visits in the 8 weeks preceding the starting date of the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Act 2005 and then again 2 months after the ban. Repeat visits were undertaken on the same day of the week and at approximately the same time of the day. RESULTS: PM2.5 levels before the introduction of the legislation averaged 246 microg/m3 (range 8-902 microg/m3). The average level reduced to 20 microg/m3 (range 6-104 microg/m3) in the period after the ban. Levels of SHS were reduced in all 53 post-ban visits, with the average reduction being 86% (range 12-99%). PM2.5 concentrations in most pubs post-ban were comparable to the outside ambient air PM2.5 level. CONCLUSIONS: This study has produced the largest dataset of pre- and post-ban SHS levels in pubs of all worldwide smoke-free legislations introduced to date. Our results show that compliance with the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Act 2005 has been high and this has led to a marked reduction in SHS concentrations in Scottish pubs, thereby reducing both the occupational exposure of workers in the hospitality sector and that of non-smoking patrons.
Authors: Gregory N Connolly; Carrie M Carpenter; Mark J Travers; K Michael Cummings; Andrew Hyland; Maurice Mulcahy; Luke Clancy Journal: Nicotine Tob Res Date: 2009-04-20 Impact factor: 4.244
Authors: Andrew Hyland; Louise M Hassan; Cheryl Higbee; Christian Boudreau; Geoffrey T Fong; Ron Borland; K Michael Cummings; Mi Yan; Mary E Thompson; Gerard Hastings Journal: Eur J Public Health Date: 2009-01-16 Impact factor: 3.367
Authors: Maurice Mulcahy; David S Evans; Blaithin Lahiffe; Deirdre Goggin; Colm Smyth; Gerard Hastings; Miriam Byrne Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2009-04-15 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: D G Fullerton; S Semple; F Kalambo; A Suseno; R Malamba; G Henderson; J G Ayres; S B Gordon Journal: Occup Environ Med Date: 2009-08-10 Impact factor: 4.402