International studies confirm health benefits of smoke-free workplace laws

Thursday, 21 October 2004 – In advance of the launch of the Office of Tobacco Control’s new national media campaign, "Smoke-free is Working.  Let’s keep it that way.”, a review of international research. on the health benefits of recently enacted smoke-free laws confirms that such legislation has an immediate and positive impact on exposure to second-hand smoke, cotinine levels, respiratory health and levels of heart attacks and heart disease.

Professor Luke Clancy, Director General of the Research Institute for a Tobacco Free Society, explained that the most recent research was conducted in New York in 2003 and published in March of this year.

“This research examined actual cotinine levels in non-smoking bar and restaurant employees within a short period after the introduction of smoke-free workplace legislation.  The research, conducted by the New York State Department of Health, showed that cotinine levels declined by as much as 85% after the law went into effect.  Cotinine, a nicotine by product, is found in people who have inhaled tobacco smoke, and is used to determine nonsmokers’ exposure to second-hand smoke."

Professor Clancy said that the Californian research, which was carried out in 1998, showed that the improvement in air quality resulting from the smoke-free workplace legislation there provided immediate respiratory health benefits for bar workers. 

• Out of 74% of bartenders with respiratory symptoms before the legislation, 59% reported no symptoms after the ban; 
• Pulmonary function tests also showed a 5-7% improvement after only one month of smoke-free air for both smokers and non-smokers;
• This study concluded that reduced second-hand smoke exposure resulted in a rapid improvement and immediate beneficial effects on adult respiratory health.

Professor Luke Clancy outlined the results of other research he reviewed:

• Research in Delaware confirmed that second-hand smoke is eliminated by smoke-free workplace legislation and provides health protection to employees and patrons which would be impossible to achieve through ventilation or air cleaning techniques;
• This research showed that the levels of fine particle air pollution in these venues has decreased by ten to twenty fold, while the risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke and respiratory disease among workers and patrons has also decreased;
• Research conducted in Helena, Montana showed a dramatic decline of almost 40% in the number of hospital admissions for heart attacks during its six month period of smoke-free workplace legislation; 
• This study suggests that smoke-free workplace legislation may be associated with a rapid effect on morbidity from heart disease. 

Valerie Robinson, Director of Communications, at the Office of Tobacco Control explained that the Office is continually evaluating the impact of smoke-free legislation.

“What is interesting about this international research is the immediacy of the impact of such measures on our health.  We already know that continuing high levels of compliance with the Irish legislation are protecting workers every day from the adverse health effects of second-hand smoke.  We are now looking forward to the results of Irish research on the impact on our health as a result of the legislation introduced on March 29.”

References

• Smoke-Free Bars and Tavern’s Effect on Health of Bartenders. Mark D. Eisner et al.  JAMA, December 9, 1998 – Vol. 280, No. 22.
• Respirable Particles and Carcinogens in the Air of Delaware Hospitality Venues Before and After a Smoking Ban.  James Repace, MSc.  J Occup Environ Med. 2004;46:887-905.
• Reduced incidence of admissions for myocardial infarction associated with public smoking ban: before and after study.  Richard P. Sargent et al. BMJ, doi:10.1136/bmj.38055.715683.55 (published 5 April 2004).
• The State of Smoke-Free New York City: A One-Year Review.  NYC Department of Finance, NYC Department of Health and Mental hygiene, NYC Department of Small Business Services, NYC Economic Development Corporation. March 2004.