Smoking increases air pollution levels in city streets: Observational and fine particulate data

Patel, Vimal; Thomson, George; Wilson, Nick

doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2012.05.005

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…The proximity between people smoking and others is problematic from a health and nuisance perspective, especially given data around the nuisance issue for public transport users (Russell, Wilson & Thomson, 2012), and around high levels of particulates when smoking within partly enclosed bus shelters (Patel, Thomson & Wilson, 2012). Some of these people at a bus stop with a person smoking may have minimal exposure to SHS if the wind direction is favorable for them, but even people “upwind” can be exposed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, some markedly elevated levels of fine particulates from tobacco smoke have been found in New Zealand bus shelters that were enclosed and partially enclosed (Patel, Thomson & Wilson, 2012). The only relevant smoking prevalence data that we found indicated an 11% point prevalence in New Zealand outdoor transport waiting areas (and 7% in England and Scotland).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Smoking close to others and butt littering at bus stops: pilot observational study

Wilson¹,

Oliver²,

Thomson³

2014

PeerJ

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Background. Transportation settings such as bus stops and train station platforms are increasingly the target for new smokefree legislation. Relevant issues include secondhand smoke exposure, nuisance, litter, fire risks and the normalization of smoking. We therefore aimed to pilot study aspects of smoking behavior and butt disposal at bus stops.Methods. Systematic observation of smoking and butt disposal by smokers at bus stops. The selection of 11 sites was a mix of convenience and purposeful (bus stops on main routes) in two New Zealand cities.Results. During 27 h of observation, a total of 112 lit cigarettes were observed being smoked. Smoking occurred in the presence of: just adults (46%), both young people and adults (44%), just young people (6%) and alone (5%). An average of 6.3 adults and 3.8 young people were present at the bus stops while smoking occurred, at average minimum distances of 1.7 and 2.2 m respectively. In bus stops that included an enclosed shelter, 33% of the cigarettes were smoked inside the shelter with others present. Littering was the major form of cigarette disposal with 84% of cigarettes smoked being littered (95% CI; 77%–90%). Also, 4% of disposals were into vegetation, which may pose a fire risk.Conclusions. This pilot study is limited by its small size and various methodological aspects but it appears to be a first attempt to provide observational evidence around smoking at bus stops. The issues described could be considered by policy makers who are investigating national smokefree laws or by-laws covering transportation settings.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Smoking close to others and butt littering at bus stops: pilot observational study

Wilson¹,

Oliver²,

Thomson³

2014

PeerJ

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Controversy surrounding the extension of smoke-free policies into outdoor spaces [5–7] has been minimized by recent strong evidence of the substantial tobacco smoke exposure that may occur in outdoor spaces [8–11]. Arguments for the adoption of outdoor smoke-free policies often focus on reducing the detrimental health effects of secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS) exposure (given that there is no-known ‘risk free’ level of such exposures), the denormalization of smoking, aesthetic issues related to cigarette litter, and safety concerns related to fires that can arise from cigarette smoking in high risk areas [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Smoking on the margins: a comprehensive analysis of a municipal outdoor smoke-free policy

et al. 2016

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BackgroundThis study examined the formulation, adoption, and implementation of a ban on smoking in the parks and beaches in Vancouver, Canada.MethodsInformed by Critical Multiplism, we explored the policy adoption process, support for and compliance with a local bylaw prohibiting smoking in parks and on beaches, experiences with enforcement, and potential health equity issues through a series of qualitative and quantitative studies.ResultsFindings suggest that there was unanimous support for the introduction of the bylaw among policy makers, as well as a high degree of positive public support. We observed that smoking initially declined following the ban’s implementation, but that smoking practices vary in parks by location. We also found evidence of different levels of enforcement and compliance between settings, and between different populations of park and beach users.ConclusionsOverall success with the implementation of the bylaw is tempered by potential increases in health inequities because of variable enforcement of the ban; greatest levels of smoking appear to continue to occur in the least advantaged areas of the city. Jurisdictions developing such policies need to consider how to allocate sufficient resources to enhance voluntary compliance and ensure that such bylaws do not contribute to health inequities.

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Informing outdoor smokefree policy: Methods for measuring the proportion of people smoking in outdoor public areas

et al. 2013

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Smoking increases air pollution levels in city streets: Observational and fine particulate data

Cited by 5 publications

References 9 publications

Smoking close to others and butt littering at bus stops: pilot observational study

Smoking close to others and butt littering at bus stops: pilot observational study

Smoking on the margins: a comprehensive analysis of a municipal outdoor smoke-free policy

Informing outdoor smokefree policy: Methods for measuring the proportion of people smoking in outdoor public areas

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