Jawad A Al-Lawati1, Yusuf Al-Thuhli2, Farrukh Qureshi3. 1. Department of Non-Communicable Disease Control, Directorate General of Health Affairs, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman; 2. Tobacco Control Section. 3. Tobacco Free Initiative, Eastern Mediterranean Office of the World Health Organization, Cairo, Egypt.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to measure exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) and assess venue compliance with the municipal Law against smoking indoors in public places in Muscat, Oman. METHODS: Following the selection of 30 public indoor venues within the Muscat governorate, the concentration of suspended SHS particulate matter (PM2.5) in the venues' indoor air was measured throughout July and August 2010. RESULTS: Almost all of the venues were found to be compliant with the smoke-free municipal, with the exception of a café that served waterpipes for smoking indoors. The concentration of PM2.5 in this venue showed an average level of 256 µg/m(3) which was 64 times the level of that found in the non-smoking venues. CONCLUSION: Aside from one café, the majority of the assessed indoor public venues abided by the smoke-free municipal law. However, the enforcement of policies banning smoking in indoor public recreational venues should be re-examined in order to protect member of the public in Oman from exposure to SHS.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to measure exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) and assess venue compliance with the municipal Law against smoking indoors in public places in Muscat, Oman. METHODS: Following the selection of 30 public indoor venues within the Muscat governorate, the concentration of suspended SHS particulate matter (PM2.5) in the venues' indoor air was measured throughout July and August 2010. RESULTS: Almost all of the venues were found to be compliant with the smoke-free municipal, with the exception of a café that served waterpipes for smoking indoors. The concentration of PM2.5 in this venue showed an average level of 256 µg/m(3) which was 64 times the level of that found in the non-smoking venues. CONCLUSION: Aside from one café, the majority of the assessed indoor public venues abided by the smoke-free municipal law. However, the enforcement of policies banning smoking in indoor public recreational venues should be re-examined in order to protect member of the public in Oman from exposure to SHS.
Authors: Konstantina Koronaiou; Jawad A Al-Lawati; Mohamed Sayed; Ali M Alwadey; Ejlal F Alalawi; Kholoud Almutawaa; Amal Hj Hussain; Wedad Al-Maidoor; Yahya M Al-Farsi; Sofia Delipalla Journal: Tob Control Date: 2020-08-19 Impact factor: 6.953