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Assessment of Exposure to Secondhand Smoke at Outdoor Bars and Family Restaurants in Athens, Georgia, Using Salivary Cotinine  

Nonsmokers outside restaurants and bars in Athens, Georgia, have significantly elevated salivary cotinine levels indicative of secondhand smoke exposure.

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• The science behind moving smoking bans outside  

Reflecting on the existing scientific research on second hand smoke exposure outdoors, William Saletan of Slate.com sifts through the most relevant points from two major studies on the subject (the 2006 California Air Resources Board study, and a 2007 study from Stanford). Among the findings: outdoors, second hand smoke levels vary widely and quickly, depend on the individual's distance from a smoker (farther than 6.5 feet or 2 meters, generally reduces exposure to "background" levels), are influenced by how confined the outdoor space is (if there are walls or fences), and the concentration of smokers in a given area. The data, Saletan concludes, point to the need for a measured approach for crafting policy to reduce second hand smoke exposure outdoors. He writes:

"If you want to argue for parkwide smoking bans based on asthma or on an analogy to noise pollution, go ahead and make that case. But let's not cloud that debate by invoking the general harm of secondhand smoke. Studies of secondhand smoke have indeed moved outdoors. Their findings support restrictions on lighting up within a few feet of other people. But they don't warrant more than that."

A new study published in the November issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene may contribute to the debate. Researchers from the University of Georgia measured second hand smoke exposure among people sitting in the outdoor areas of bars and restaurants where indoor smoking was banned in the city of Athens, Georgia. . . .

generally speaking, hanging out in an outdoor smoking area exposes you to less second hand smoke than being in an indoor, confined space with smokers, and the more space you have between yourself and smokers, the lower levels of exposure you will have. So, this particular study doesn't ring the death knell for outdoor smoking. But, the researchers point out, wielding the official trump card of the public health argument:

Although the increment in cotinine concentrations and, thus, the [second hand smoke] exposure levels were relatively low at the sites of interest, the current view is that there is no level of personal exposure to [second hand smoke] that can be regarded as safe. This study demonstrates the ongoing exposure of nonsmokers to [second hand smoke] outside restaurants and bars, and the limitations of indoor smoking bans alone in protecting the public from exposure to [second hand smoke] outside these establishments.

In other words, the movement to ban smoking in outdoor spaces is here to stay.

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LETTER: Lose the cigarettes, gain more customers  

I find it offensive to enter or exit any building that stinks from smoke. Actually, I won't go into a shop or restaurant if I have to endure the odor. Several years ago Beverly Hills had to make the same decision. Business owners were worried that business would be lost to neighboring cities. There was no negative effect on businesses and it is a pleasure to dine smoke free, both inside and out.

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Parks smoking ban passes - sort of 

The Roswell City Council wrestled once more Nov. 9 with the final reading of an ordinance to limit or ban tobacco use in public parks, but the final results are still a little smoky as the council members could not agree to an acceptable compromise.

The latest incarnation of the ordinance returned with a recommendation from the Roswell Recreation Commission to ban all smoking. That solved the problem of where to allow some limited smoking by park patrons, which had been a sticking point when the council deferred the ordinance two weeks ago. But that solutions soon disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Ex-nicotine fiend and Councilwoman Lori Henry noted smoking is legal after all, and if patrons wanted to smoke in the open air they should be allowed to within reason.

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Nevada City council to review smoking ban, solar farm  

Nevada City council members will review wording for ordinances banning medical marijuana dispensaries and smoking in parks at a meeting today.

Smoking in parks was banned for a six-month trial period after council approval in 2007. A new ordinance would make the ban permanent.

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• Study raises concerns about outdoor second-hand smoke 

Indoor smoking bans have forced smokers at bars and restaurants onto outdoor patios, but a new University of Georgia study in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that these outdoor smoking areas might be creating a new health hazard.

The study, thought to be the first to assess levels of a nicotine byproduct known as cotinine in nonsmokers exposed to second-hand smoke outdoors, found levels up to 162 percent greater than in the control group. The results appear in the November issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.

"Indoor smoking bans have helped to create more of these outdoor environments where people are exposed to secondhand smoke," said study co-author Luke Naeher, associate professor in the UGA College of Public Health. "We know from our previous study that there are measurable airborne levels of secondhand smoke in these environments, and we know from this study that we can measure internal exposure.

"Secondhand smoke contains several known carcinogens and the current thinking is that there is no safe level of exposure," he added. "So the levels that we are seeing are a potential public health issue."

Athens-Clarke County, Ga., enacted an indoor smoking ban in 2005, providing Naeher and his colleagues and ideal environment for their study.

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Next Up for the Burlington City Council: an Outdoor Smoking Ban 

Sisco is reacting to news that the Burlington City Council is considering banning smoking in public parks, beaches and on the Church Street Marketplace. City Councilor Karen Paul (I-Ward 6) is backing the ordinance and hopes it will pass by spring.

If approved, Burlington would join a growing list of U.S. cities that have expanded smoking prohibitions beyond the confines of bars and restaurants -- where it was banned to protect workers indoors from harmful secondhand smoke -- and into outdoor gathering places.

Burlington already has a reputation as one of America's healthiest cities, and Paul sees a partial outdoor smoking ban as a way to build on that image.

"What you do in your own home is for you to decide," says Paul, an ex-smoker who went cold turkey when she became pregnant 16 years ago.

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WARNER: Anti-smokers just can’t quit  

The Wenatchee City Council could have banned smoking in parks. Many cities have, and many are considering it. The city can do it, just because. It doesn’t even have to pick from the usual anti-smoking justifications, real or imagined, like protecting public health or protecting children or fighting litter. It’s enough that most people who use city parks find smoking objectionable and don’t want to watch people do it, or smell it, or get a small whiff of their personal residue. The implications of banning a normally legal personal habit simply because it produces an odor doesn’t matter. A city can ban a public nuisance, and a public nuisance is usually whatever the city says it is. The limits are broad, and smoking has so few defenders the political risk is slight. . . .

So where does it stop? Not at your threshold. The next great frontier of anti-smoking law is the private residence. . . .

We should be able to sleep without fretting that someone somewhere might be sitting on their couch smoking a cigarette, but we just can’t give it up. Onward, prohibitionists.

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Persistence pays off for anti-puffing group  

Cadence Hayes is one of the crusaders who was involved in the push to convince city council to move forward with the idea of the outdoor smoking ban on certain city properties.

She says it was a lot of hard work.

"We knew it would take some work when we started. We actually thought that the first time we presented to city council, way back in February of this year, we thought it would be passed. It wasn't," the petite blonde student recalled.

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City council approves outdoor smoking ban  

Acting on the advice of a group of teenagers, Timmins city council has agreed to ban smoking in outdoor spaces in Timmins that are within ten metres of beaches, playgrounds, parks and recreational fields, such as ball diamonds and soccer fields. Council approved third and final reading of a bylaw amendment Monday evening.

The vote was solidly in favour of the anti-smoking sentiment with most councilors saying they're confident that the majority of citizens favour the ban and that even those who disagree with it, will obey the ban.

The amendment to the bylaw was first suggested last winter by Whisper Out Loud, part of the Youth Action Alliance with the Porcupine Health Unit.

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EDITORIAL: Fresh air for nonsmokers in Palm Desert  

For nonsmokers, few things are more offensive than to walk out of the office door and be greeted by a cloud of cigarette smoke. This became commonplace a few years ago when smoking was banished from most buildings.

On Thursday, the Palm Desert City Council did something about this. It voted to amend its smoking ordinance to rule that smokers must be at least 20 feet away from building entrances.

The Desert Sun applauds the decision. . . .

Thursday is the 34th annual Great American Smokeout. Smokers should quit for a day and visit the Web site www.cancer.org/GreatAmericans for tips on how to quit for good and add years to their lives.

Then they can join us in applauding Palm Desert's new limits on smoking.

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Smoking ban at Timmins parks gets approval 

TIMMINS — A smoking-bylaw amendment prohibiting puffing near public beaches, certain playgrounds and recreational fields has been passed by Timmins city council.

It has been a topic that has ignited much discussion around the council table since a group of young people from Whisper Out Loud did a presentation.

The original suggestion was to prohibit people from smoking within roughly 30 metres of beaches, playgrounds and recreational fields.

The amendment passed yesterday establishes that restriction at 10 metres.

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No smoking in Morgan parks 

Blowing smoke and flipping cigarette butts in Morgan County parks will end soon.

The County Commission plans to adopt a resolution in two weeks to ban smoking at its four parks.

Hartselle’s council discussed such a prohibition but never followed through. Decatur prohibits smoking at playgrounds and outdoor seating areas. It banned smoking in all public buildings and businesses in August 2007.

The commission held a special work session Thursday to discuss coordinators for parks and ended up with a consensus to do away with smoking at the public facilities.

District 1 Commissioner Jeff Clark said he already forbids smoking inside North Park in his district.

“I have a sign up that prohibits smoking once they enter the inside of the fence at the park and I have a designated area for them to smoke,” Clark said.

District 2 Commissioner Ken Livingston said people have complained about tobacco chewing and snuff dipping.

“I’ve had people complain about the smoking, but then I’ve had people talk about ‘nasty’ spitting of tobacco,” Livingston said.

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No more smoking on the sidelines? 

The Town of Windsor is considering a bylaw to ward away secondhand smoke.

With a vote of 3-2, Council approved first reading of the Protection from Secondhand Smoke Bylaw. The matter will go to second reading at the November 24 council meeting. If passed, no one will be permitted to smoke on any property owned or leased by the Town. This includes all town parks, playgrounds, recreational facilities, trails and building lands.

Windsor’s chief administrative officer Louis Coutinho says the bylaw is not about trying to fine people, but about educating people in a healthier community. “Secondhand smoke is a health hazard.”

Still, those caught violating this bylaw could be subject to a fine of up to $200.

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City Council approves tobacco-free zones in parks  

WENATCHEE — The city will use courtesy as its main tactic in controlling smoking in parks.

The City Council Thursday unanimously agreed to create “tobacco-free” zones around playgrounds and other areas where people gather within Wenatchee city parks.

Signs will be posted around the new zones gently reminding smokers to light up elsewhere.

But compliance will be voluntary.

“I see this as a voluntary enforcement activity,” Mayor Dennis Johnson told the council. “We don’t have the resources to be policing parks for smoking.”

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