Abstract
Abstract Since February 2009 Guatemala has implemented a smoke-free law that includes bars and restaurants. In this study, we sought to assess air nicotine levels in bars and restaurants 6 months after the implementation of the law (post-law) and to compare them with levels found in 2007 (pre-law). Exposure was estimated by passive sampling of vapor-phase nicotine using a filter badge. Filters were placed for 7 working days in 10 bars and 11 restaurants randomly selected in Guatemala City. In total, 50 monitors were placed (for quality control, 10% were duplicate and blank). Filters were checked once to verify the correct placement, count the number of persons and smokers if there were any. Nicotine was measured by gas-chromatography and the time weighted average concentration in µg/m3 was estimated. Median (interquantile range, IQR) air nicotine levels are presented and compared using Mann-Whitney rank test. In addition, 32 employees answered a survey about air quality and opinions about secondhand smoke. The survey results were also compared with pre-law survey results using a chi-square statistic. Before the law, detectable levels of nicotine were found in all bars and restaurants. Median nicotine levels were 4.57 (IQR 1.71-6.44) μg/m3 in bars and 0.58 (IQR 0.43-0.7) μg/m3 in restaurants. After the law, nicotine was detected in all bars and most (76%) restaurants. Median nicotine levels were 0.59 (IQR 0.17-0.80) μg/m3 in bars and 0.06 (IQR 0.01-0.09) μg/m3 in restaurants. These levels were significantly lower compared to those found before the law (p=0.003 and p=0.05; respectively). The nicotine reduction was similar in bars (87%) and restaurants (89%). Employees’ support for a smoke-free workplace rose significantly after the law was implemented (from 32% to 81%, p<0.001). In conclusion, six months after the law went into effect, nicotine levels were significantly decreased in bars and restaurants and workers support for the law was high. Given that no other tobacco control law has been implemented in Guatemala, our results can be attributed to the smoke-free law. However, in order to be effective in reducing lung cancer incidence a smoke-free law should be strictly enforced. Our data should prove useful to exert pressure upon the Guatemalan government to more strictly enforce the law. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 978.
Published Version
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