Secondhand tobacco smoke in bars and restaurants in Santiago, Chile: evaluation of partial smoking ban legislation in public places

Abstract

ObjectiveTo compare air nicotine concentrations according to the smoking policy selected by bars/restaurants in Santiago, Chile before and after the enactment of partial smoking ban legislation in 2007 (establishments could be smoke free, have segregated (mixed) smoking and non-smoking areas, or allow smoking in all areas).MethodsThe study measured air nicotine concentrations over 7 days to characterise secondhand smoke exposure in 30 bars/restaurants in 2008. Owner/manager interviews and physical inspections were conducted.ResultsMedian IQR air nicotine concentrations measured in all venues were 4.38 (0.61–13.62) μg/m3. Air nicotine concentrations were higher in bars (median 7.22, IQR 2.48–15.64 μg/m3) compared to restaurants (1.12, 0.15–9.22 μg/m3). By smoking status, nicotine concentrations were higher in smoking venues (13.46, 5.31–16.87 μg/m3), followed by smoking areas in mixed venues (9.22, 5.09–14.90 μg/m3) and non-smoking areas in mixed venues (0.99, 0.19–1.27 μg/m3). Air nicotine concentrations were markedly lower in smoke-free venues (0.12, 0.11–0.46 μg/m3). After adjustment for differences in volume and ventilation, air nicotine concentrations were 3.2, 35.5 and 56.2 times higher in non-smoking areas in mixed venues, smoking areas in mixed venues and smoking venues, respectively, compared to smoke-free venues.ConclusionsExposure to secondhand smoke remains high in bars and restaurants in Santiago, Chile. These findings demonstrate that the partial smoking ban legislation enacted in Chile in 2007 provides no protection to employees working in those venues. Enacting a comprehensive smoke-free legislation which protects all people from exposure to secondhand smoke in all public places and workplaces is urgently needed.

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].…”

Correlates of Chilean Adolescents' Negative Attitudes Toward Cigarettes: The Role of Gender, Peer, Parental, and Environmental Factors

“…For example, Chile has only recently committed to implement strategies to reduce tobacco use. In 2005, Chile ratified the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which was implemented to eliminate smoking in all indoor public places and workplaces (Erazo et al, 2010), and in 2006, Chile initiated the use of graphic images on all cigarette packaging and advertising. Moreover, compared with developed countries, there is less enforcement of workplace smoking bans and sales of cigarettes to minors in Chile (Shafey, Dolwick, & Guindon, 2003;Thrasher et al, 2006).…”

OBSOLETE: Secondhand Smoke

“…However in other countries smoke-free legislation has been less comprehensive and slower to be implemented and exposure of non-smokers has continued. For example, in Santiago, Chile, after implementation of a partial smoke-free policy, air nicotine levels in many bars and restaurants remained high (Erazo et al, 2010). The latest global estimate, from 2004, is that 40% of children, 33% of male and 35% of female non-smokers were exposed to SHS (Oberg et al 2011) Current evidence on the health impact of SHS…”