Secondhand Smoke Exposure in Hospitality Venues in Europe

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough in the last few years some European countries have implemented smoking bans in hospitality venues, the levels of secondhand smoke (SHS) in this occupational sector could still be extremely high in most countries.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess exposure to SHS in hospitality venues in 10 European cities.MethodsWe included 167 hospitality venues (58 discotheques and pubs, 82 restaurants and cafeterias, and 27 fast-food restaurants) in this cross-sectional study. We carried out fieldwork in 10 European cities: Vienna (Austria), Paris (France), Athens (Greece), Florence and Belluno (Italy), Galway (Ireland), Barcelona (Spain), Warsaw and Lublin (Poland), and Bratislava (Slovak Republic). We measured vapor-phase nicotine as an SHS marker.ResultsWe analyzed 504 samples and found nicotine in most samples (97.4%). We found the highest median concentrations in discos/pubs [32.99 μg/m3; interquartile range (IQR), 8.06–66.84 μg/m3] and lower median concentrations in restaurants/cafeterias (2.09 μg/m3; IQR, 0.49–6.73 μg/m3) and fast-food restaurants (0.31 μg/m3; IQR, 0.11–1.30 μg/m3) (p < 0.05). We found differences of exposure between countries that may be related to their smoking regulations. Where we sampled smoking and nonsmoking areas, nicotine concentrations were significantly lower in nonsmoking areas.ConclusionsHospitality venues from European cities without smoking regulations have very high levels of SHS exposure. Monitoring of SHS on a regular basis as well as a total smoking ban in hospitality sector would be needed.

Strength of smoke-free air laws and indoor air quality

“…In all communities with partial laws, indoor PM 2.5 levels postlaw were signifi cantly higher than the WHO guideline. Similar results were observed in Europe ( Lopez et al, 2008 ). The measured median nicotine concentra- tions in Ireland with comprehensive smoke-free laws were the lowest.…”

Secondhand smoke exposure in bars and restaurants in Guatemala City: before and after smoking ban evaluation

“…The consistency of our data with findings from countries with comprehensive legislation and the fact that no other tobacco control measure has been implemented in Guatemala over the same period of time support the hypothesis that the observed decrease is due to the smoking ban. Moreover, it is well documented that in countries without legislation or with partial legislations, there are no noticeable changes in SHS levels over time, including a study in Chile with a 6-year gap before and after the passing of an incomplete smoking ban [21][22][23].…”

Protecting the World From Secondhand Tobacco Smoke Exposure: Where Do We Stand and Where Do We Go From Here?

“…Indeed, major reductions in SHS exposure (>75%) have been documented after the implementation of comprehensive bans in Ireland (Mulcahy, Evans, Hammond, Repace, & Byrne, 2005), Norway . Conversely, in countries without or with a partial smoking ban, no change has been documented (Erazo et al, 2010;Gleich, Mons, & Potschke-Langer, 2011;Gorini et al, 2008;Lopez et al, 2008). These evaluations identify opportunities for improvement.…”

“…The most widely used methods for determining SHS exposure in indoor public places and workplaces are airborne nicotine and PM <2.5 µm (PM2.5) (Barnoya et al, 2007;Hyland, Travers, Dresler, Higbee, & Cummings, 2008;Liu et al, 2010;Lopez et al, 2008;Navas-Acien et al, 2004;Nebot et al, 2005). Airborne SHS studies generally measure nicotine for several days, reflecting time-weighted average concentrations over the period of assessment.…”

“…Multinational research has contributed to evaluate SHS exposure in public places and workplaces (Agbenyikey et al, 2011;Barnoya et al, 2007;Hyland et al, 2008;Jones et al, 2012;Liu et al, 2010;Lopez et al, 2008;Navas-Acien et al, 2004;Nebot et al, 2005;Schoj et al, 2010;Stillman et al, 2007). This research has shown the usefulness of measuring air nicotine and PM2.5 for SHS surveillance, support for policy initiatives, and implementation evaluation.…”