Immediate Impact of Smoke-free Laws on Indoor Air Quality

Abstract

Smoke-free laws significantly impact indoor air quality. However, the temporal effects of these laws on indoor air pollution have not been determined. This paper assesses the temporal impact of one smoke-free law on indoor air quality. This quasi-experimental study compared the indoor air quality of nine hospitality venues and one bingo hall in Georgetown, Kentucky, before and after implementation of a 100% smoke-free workplace law. We made real-time measurements of particulate matter with 2.5 microm aerodynamic diameter or smaller (PM2.5). Among the nine Georgetown hospitality venues, the average indoor PM2.5 concentration was 84 microg/m3 before the law took effect. The average indoor PM2.5 concentrations in nine compliant venues significantly decreased to 18 microg/m3 one week after the law took effect. Three venues having 82 microg/m3 before the law had significantly lower levels from the first day the law was implemented, and the low level was maintained. Compliance with the law is critical to achieving clean indoor air. Indoor air pollution in the bingo hall was not reduced until the establishment decided to comply with the law. The smoke-free law showed immediate impact on indoor air quality.

Strength of smoke-free air laws and indoor air quality

“…The relationship between smoking density and indoor PM 2.5 level is shown in Figure 3 . The mean indoor PM 2.5 level was 333 m g/m 3 when more than one cigarette was The result was published in Lee et al (2007) . The result was published in Lee et al (2008) .…”

“…The effect of smoke-free laws is not only significant but also immediate. In Georgetown, KY, indoor fi ne particle concentrations were immediately improved after the smoke-free air law ( Lee et al, 2007 ). These studies demonstrate that comprehensive smoke-free air laws reduce indoor air pollution to safe levels for workers and the public.…”

“…Tobacco smoke substantially contributes to indoor particle concentration in hospitality venues and can be greatly reduced by implementation of smoke-free air laws ( Lee et al, 2008 ;Lee, Hahn, Riker, Head, & Seithers, 2007 ;Ott, Switzer, & Robinson, 1996 ;Repace, 2004 ;Repace, Hyde, & Brugge, 2006 ;Semple, Creely, Naji, Miller, & Ayres, 2007 ;Travers, Cummings, & Hyland, 2004 ;Valente et al, 2007 ). When indoor PM 2.5 levels were measured in six pubs in Boston, the level decreased 96% ( Repace et al, 2006 ).…”

Reduction in asthma-related emergency department visits after implementation of a smoke-free law

“…22 In an indoor air quality study of Lexington hospitality venues, there was a 91% decline in fine particle air pollution after Lexington's smoke-free law went into effect. 23 Given that there is a positive association between outdoor air pollution and ED visits for asthma 24 among both children 25,26 and adults, 26,27 it is not surprising that there were fewer asthma ED visits in light of improved indoor air quality after Lexington's smoke-free law. Further study is needed to investigate the interactions among outdoor air pollution, smoke-free legislation, and asthma prevalence and health care outcomes.…”

The Impact of Smoke-Free Legislation on Population Health in North Carolina

“…Major studies have shown that laws that ban smoking in public places such as bars and restaurants help improve the health of workers [24][25][26][27][28][29]. Additional studies conducted in several communities, states, regions, and countries have found that implementing comprehensive laws that make all workplaces and public places smoke-free are associated with rapid, substantial, and sustained reductions in emergency department visits for asthma and hospital admissions for heart attacks; these reductions appear to be more pronounced among nonsmokers than smokers [30,31].…”