Research shows air quality in pubs has improved dramatically since introduction of the smoke-free law

New research shows that the air quality in Irish pubs has improved dramatically since the introduction of the smoke-free workplace legislation on 29 March last year.  The research was presented at a seminar in Dublin’s Ocean Bar and Restaurant hosted today (29 March 2005) by the Office of Tobacco Control (OTC) to mark the first anniversary of the law’s introduction.  The studies outlined at the seminar form part of a large body of research being conducted in Ireland to assess the health impact of the smoke-free law e.g. the All Ireland Bar Study.

Dr Michael Boland, OTC Chairperson, explained that the primary aim of the smoke-free legislation is to protect third parties particularly workers from exposure to the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. 

“The emerging evidence in Ireland demonstrates that the smoke-free legislation is having a direct and immediate positive impact through significantly improving workplace air quality and reducing carbon monoxide levels in hospitality workers,” Dr Boland said. 

Professor Luke Clancy, Director General of the Research Institute for a Tobacco Free Society, explained that a study carried out at the Respiratory Laboratory in St James’s Hospital, Dublin, confirms the reduction in second-hand smoke exposure at work by documenting a marked decrease in carbon monoxide (CO) in bar workers. 

“Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas produced when cigarettes are burned and is linked to heart attacks and breathing failure.  The study evaluated breath carbon monoxide of 81 bar workers before the introduction of the smoke-free law and again one year later.  Analysis of the tests on 56 (69%) of the bar workers has been completed and shows that there has been a very substantial fall (45%) in carbon monoxide in barmen who were non-smokers, and a decrease of 36% in ex-smokers.” 

Prof Clancy explained that another study, from which preliminary results were presented today, involved 40 pubs throughout Dublin city and county and it assessed the levels of air pollution by measuring the airborne particle concentrations present in the pubs before and after the introduction of the smoke-free law. 

“Various airborne particles, which are caused by tobacco smoke and are known to be harmful to health, were measured and the results, from 24 of the 40 bars where exposure levels have been analysed, show that average levels for the smaller particles (PM 2.5) have been reduced by 87.6% while average levels of PM 10 have been reduced by 53%. 
 
“At certain times, prior to the law coming into effect, air pollution in crowded pubs was extremely high due to the concentration of tobacco smoke in the air.  These maximum exposure levels have seen the greatest decrease since the introduction of the law with levels falling by 93% for PM 2.5 particles.”

Prof Luke Clancy said that the results of this study are further emphasised by the finding of a dramatic fall in ultrafine particles in a supplementary study of 12 of the 40 Dublin pubs. 

“This study showed substantial decreases of between 62% and 83% in these particles since the implementation of the smoke-free law. The current levels are similar to the levels found in non-smoking homes,” Prof Clancy concluded.