Abstract
BackgroundSeveral countries, including Cyprus, have passed smoke-free legislations in recent years. The goal of this study was to assess the indoor levels of particulate matter in hospitality venues in Cyprus before and after the implementation of the law on 1/1/2010, evaluate the role of enforcement, and examine the legislation’s effect on revenue and employment.MethodsSeveral hospitality venues (n = 35) were sampled between April 2007 and January 2008, and 21 of those were re-sampled after the introduction of the smoking ban, between March and May 2010. Data on enforcement was provided by the Cyprus Police whereas data on revenue and employment within the hospitality industry of Cyprus were obtained from the Cyprus Statistical Service; comparisons were made between the corresponding figures before and after the implementation of the law.ResultsThe median level of PM2.5 associated with secondhand smoking was 161 μg/m3 pre-ban and dropped to 3 μg/m3 post-ban (98% decrease, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, in the year following the ban, the hotel turnover rate increased by 4.1% and the restaurant revenue by 6.4%; employment increased that same year by 7.2% and 1.0%, respectively.ConclusionSmoke free legislations, when enforced, are highly effective in improving the air quality and reducing the levels of indoor PM2.5. Strict enforcement plays a key role in the successful implementation of smoking bans. Even in nations with high smoking prevalence comprehensive smoking laws can be effectively implemented and have no negative effect on accommodation, food, and beverage services.
Highlights
Several countries, including Cyprus, have passed smoke-free legislations in recent years
Indoor air quality The median level of PM2.5 attributable to secondhand smoke (SHS) among the 35 venues assessed before the comprehensive legislation was 184 μg/m3 in the venues that allowed smoking and 21 μg/m3 in the smoke-free venues
Results indicate that clubs and bars, on average, had the highest levels of PM2.5 before the implementation of the smoking ban; though no measurements were done in clubs postban, bars continued showing the highest levels
Summary
Several countries, including Cyprus, have passed smoke-free legislations in recent years. In a study conducted in pubs before and two months after the implementation of Scottish legislation to prohibit smoking in substantially enclosed public places, indoor particle levels, as measured by PM2.5, reduced significantly from 246 μg/m3 to 20 μg/m3, an 86% reduction [19]. The differences could be attributable to a number of factors, including the comprehensiveness of the law, where the responsibility for ensuring smoke free indoor public places was placed, the concurrent use population preparedness and signage [21], authority efficiency [22], social beliefs [23], tobacco industry interference [24], and the role of the non-smokers in actively demanding enforcement [25]. In Cyprus, similar arguments, as in the rest of the world, are put forward (informal communication with the Health Committee of the Cyprus Parliament)
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