Environmental tobacco smoke in hospitality venues in Greece.

Constantine I Vardavas,Barbara Kondilis,Elisabeth Petsetaki,Mark J Travers,Yiannis Tountas,Anthony G Kafatos

doi:10.1186/1471-2458-7-302

Abstract

BackgroundExposure to environmental tobacco smoke is a major threat to public health. Greece, having the highest smoking prevalence in the European Union is seriously affected by passive smoking. The purpose of this study was to measure environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in the non smoking areas of hospitality venues and offices in Greece and to compare the levels of exposure to levels in the US, UK and Ireland before and after the implementation of a smoking ban.MethodsExperimental measurements of particulate matter 2.5 μm (PM2.5), performed during a cross sectional study of 49 hospitality venues and offices in Athens and Crete, Greece during February – March 2006.ResultsLevels of ETS ranged from 19 μg/m3 to 612 μg/m3, differing according to the place of measurement. The average exposure in hospitality venues was 268 μg/m3 with ETS levels found to be highest in restaurants with a mean value of 298 μg/m3 followed by bars and cafes with 271 μg/m3. ETS levels were 76% lower in venues in which smoking was not observed compared to all other venues (p < 0.001). ETS levels in Greek designated non-smoking areas are similar to those found in the smoking sections of UK hospitality venues while levels in Ireland with a total smoking ban are 89% lower and smoke-free communities in the US are 91 – 96% lower than levels in Greece.ConclusionDesignated non-smoking areas of hospitality venues in Greece are significantly more polluted with ETS than outdoor air and similar venues in Europe and the United States. The implementation of a total indoor smoking ban in hospitality venues has been shown to have a positive effect on workers and patrons' health. The necessity of such legislation in Greece is thus warranted.

Highlights

Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is a major threat to public health
Passive smoking is a serious threat to public health
It has been shown in numerous studies that prolonged exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) in adults can predispose them to cardiovascular disease

Summary

Introduction

Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is a major threat to public health. Greece, having the highest smoking prevalence in the European Union is seriously affected by passive smoking. The purpose of this study was to measure environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in the non smoking areas of hospitality venues and offices in Greece and to compare the levels of exposure to levels in the US, UK and Ireland before and after the implementation of a smoking ban. Passive smoking is a serious threat to public health It has been shown in numerous studies that prolonged exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) in adults can predispose them to cardiovascular disease (by damaging the arterial endothelium, and reducing blood high density (page number not for citation purposes). ETS itself comprises sidestream smoke emitted from the smouldering tobacco between puffs and exhaled mainstream smoke from the smoker Both sidestream and mainstream smoke affects tobacco users and passively other people who share their close environment whether at home, at work or in a car. Over the past years there has been a global movement to ban smoking from public places, initially in places related to health services and in private sector places, such as offices and hospitality venues. [11]

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