The Contribution of Environmental Tobacco Smoke to Indoor Pollution in Pubs and Bars

Abstract

Smoking is currently allowed in most UK pubs and bars and smoking policies are self regulated by the hospitality industry through the Public Places Charter, which encourages the provision of non-smoking areas and improved ventilation. In this study monitoring of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) has been conducted in 60 pubs and bars in the Greater Manchester area to determine the effectiveness of different smoking policies. The ETS markers RSP (as PM2.5), UVPM, FPM, SolPM and nicotine were sampled at several locations in each establishment, using portable monitoring cases and analysed using established methods.ETS concentrations were significantly lower in nonsmoking areas in comparison to smoking areas, with reductions of between 27-69%. Bar areas had similar levels to smoking areas. The proportion of particles (RSP) that could be attributed to ETS was considerable even in non-smoking areas (43-55%) indicating that smoking was the major source of particles in these environments. The use of mechanical and/or air cleaning systems resulted in lower average concentrations of ETS markers in comparison to use of extractor fans or natural ventilation, but these differences were not statistically significant.

Ventilation performance for spaces where smoking is permitted: a review of previous work and field study results

“…Gee et al 4 reported on measurements carried out in 60 public houses in Manchester, UK. Again a range of markers were reported, respirable suspended particulates, (PM2.5), ultraviolet particulate matter, fluorescent particulate matter, solanesol particulate matter, and vapour phase nicotine.…”

“…Attention has been focused on the issue of smoking in public places following the introduction of a smoking ban in pubs in Ireland in 2004 1 and the 2006 'yes' vote by the House of Commons to introduce a smoking ban in the summer of 2007. 2 Concerns raised by laboratory tests and field studies concluding that ventilation systems were ineffective in reducing levels of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), 3,4 would have been used in lobbying for the 'yes' vote. In campaigning for these bans organizations such as ASH have presented ventilation in a very poor light.…”

Impacts of Ventilation: Studies on “Before and After” a Smoking Ban Is Implemented / Vėdinimo Poveikis: Tyrimai Prieš Įvedant Ir Įvedus Rūkymo Draudimą / Воздействие Вентиляции: Исследование До И После Запрета На Курение

“…In the last decade, the scientific evidence relating to this debate has been reported in a diverse range of publications such as the British Medical Journal (BMJ), Indoor Air and the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Journal. On inspection much of this reporting concludes negatively on the performance of ventilation systems (Mulcahy, Repace 2000;Carrington et al 2002Carrington et al , 2003Gee et al 2005Gee et al , 2006Kotzias et al 2004).…”

Evaluation of the Indoor Air Quality in Restaurants Before and After a Smoking Ban in Portugal

“…In recent years, several European countries (Ireland, Norway, Italy, Malta, Sweden, Spain, Finland, Scotland, Belgium, France and UK) have issued smoking policy rules in indoor workplaces and/or hospitality premises, including restaurants, to protect non-smoking people from environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and consumption of tobacco products, with a good compliance [12][13][14][15].…”