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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Office on Smoking and Health
Tel: 1-800-CDC-INFO
(1-800-232-4636)
TTY: 1-888-232-6348
E-mail: tobaccoinfo@cdc.gov
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Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports (MMWRs)
Indoor Air Quality in Hospitality Venues Before and After Implementation of a
Clean Indoor Air Law—Western New York, 2003
November 12, 2004 / Vol. 53 / No. 44
MMWR Highlights
Western New York Study
- On average, the
levels of respirable suspended particles (RSPs) in 20 hospitality venues
in western New York fell by 84% after a comprehensive state clean indoor
air law took effect.
- RSP levels fell in
every establishment where smoking or indirect secondhand smoke exposure
from an adjoining room was occurring prior to implementation of the law.
- The study adds to
existing evidence that comprehensive smoke-free policies are associated
with reductions in the levels of RSPs in secondhand smoke in settings
where smoking was previously occurring. In addition to being a health
hazard in their own right, RSPs are a marker for the presence of
secondhand smoke, which is a documented health hazard.
- Comprehensive
smoke-free policies in workplaces and public places have the potential to
rapidly and effectively reduce secondhand smoke exposure. This would be
expected to result in reductions in the prevalence of health conditions
that have been linked with secondhand smoke exposure.
- The study adds to
the evidence that smoke-free policies protect nonsmoking employees and
patrons from the health risks posed by secondhand smoke.
Background
-
Secondhand smoke
contains more than 50
cancer-causing agents (carcinogens)
and is responsible each year for at least 3,000 lung cancer deaths and
more than 35,000 coronary heart disease deaths among nonsmokers in the
United States.
- Exposure to
secondhand smoke is associated with an increased risk for respiratory
infections, asthma, sudden infant death syndrome, and lower chronic ear
infections
among children.
- Even short-term
exposures to secondhand smoke, such as those that might be experienced by a patron in a
restaurant or bar that allows smoking, can increase the risk of
experiencing an acute cardiovascular event
- Although
population-based data show declining secondhand smoke exposure in the United States over
time, secondhand smoke exposure remains a common, preventable public health hazard.
Policies requiring smoke-free environments are the most effective method of
reducing secondhand smoke exposure.
Page last reviewed 02/28/2007
Page last modified 02/28/2007