Tobacco.org

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.

Jump to full article »

• 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.

Jump to full article »

• 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.

Jump to full article »

Smoking Ban: How will it affect local restaurants?  

December first, a new statewide smoking ban takes effect. Restaurants and bars must go smoke-free or provide a separate room for smokers. Will this help or hurt local restaurants?

Restaurants are allowed to let customers smoke only in a separate room that has its own ventilation, so that smoke does not drift into the main dining room. They can also allow smoking on outdoor patios.

At Calabash Seafood in Mechanicsville, a club and restaurant where patrons can currently smoke, they're building a new smoking section: an enclosed patio.

"We're going to put in some heating and some ceiling fans and try to make it as comfortable as we can for them," said owner Dennis Smith.

Owners Dennis and Janet Smith say they're spending about $20,000 to build the smoking patio and remodel their indoor restaurant and lounge, which will be smoke-free. They believe it will pay off.

Jump to full article »

Smoking lounge rules on Long Beach Council agenda  

Smoke 'em if you got 'em - but only with a ventilation system and not if you're serving any food or beverages - may become Long Beach's new policy for the city's recently legalized smoking lounges.

Oh, and don't invite any of your friends - we're happy with the eight cigar lounges and four hookah bars that we have now, thank you - might also be added to the policy.

That last caveat could become the biggest challenge as the City Council tackles how to regulate smoking lounges Tuesday. The council's Economic Development and Finance Committee voted to recommend new smoking lounge regulations last week, but committee members were concerned about a proliferation of new lounges.

City attorneys and city staff said the city has limited legal right to restrict the number of lounges.

"Once we open this up, I think that there is the potential for other legitimate businesses to qualify under the regulations, and I think that is a consideration the council has to weigh," Director of Health and Human Services Ron Arias told the committee Wednesday.

Jump to full article »

Iowa City Cracking Down on Panhandlers, Smokers 

A group of downtown business owners in Iowa City wants to move panhandlers farther away and make an open air mall smoke-free from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. . . .

The group also wants the city to ban smoking in the open air mall, saying it would reduce loitering outside their stores and keep sidewalk cafe patrons from enduring nearby smoking. By allowing smoking after 10 p.m., bar patrons could smoke outside after the cafes had closed.

Jump to full article »

Southeast smoking ban: Little known and largely ignored  

As taxes on tobacco increase, smokers decrease. At least the colleges and the state of Missouri hope that's true. Smoking bans have become popular on college campuses, gaining the attention of the State Senate, who are debating whether it is even possible, but they are determined to try. It has also gained the attention of Southeast, staff and students alike.

Southeast's solution: forbid smoking everywhere with some exceptions. The consensus - comprised of both smokers and non-smokers - was nearly universal on the topic of designated areas in Aug. 2008 when the ban was first implemented. Only a small minority desired a completely smoke-free campus. Southeast student Diana Carter said, "I didn't even know there was a smoking ban. But I'm glad. A smoke free Illinois was good. I'm glad Southeast is smoke free, too. I do wish it was a little stricter, but at least it is there. The smokers have their own place to smoke and I have my own place to breathe clean air."

There are 24 places scattered outside the main campus that allows smoking.

There is no smoking indoors or in university vehicles with two exceptions. . . .

DPS is not the only one responsible for noting smoking in non-designated areas. Everyone needs to assist in smoking prevention. That means if someone, like Post, other students, or professors, witnesses someone continually smoking, remind the person of the law. If it persists, inform the Office of Student Conduct

Jump to full article »

• Wear | Hospital smoking shelters U-turn 

Sunderland Royal Hospital is "reluctantly" reinstating shelters for smokers in its grounds.

Health bosses admit they are unable to stop people disobeying the no-smoking rule and lighting up just outside the hospital's main doors.

This had led to complaints by patients and staff about second-hand smoke drifting into the building.

Purpose-built shelters, which were dismantled two years ago, are to be set up again.

Jump to full article »

Remembrance tribute moved — for a shelter  

A ROYAL British Legion club has been forced to move a war memorial — to make way for a smoking shelter.

The four feet-high monument has been at the club in Astley Bridge for more than eight years.

It has now been dismantled and is awaiting a new home.

The memorial features around 40 names, but with no clue to their regiments. The history of the monument is unknown.

A club committee member, who did not want to be named, said: “If there had not been a smoking ban, the memorial would be where it has been for at least eight years. “Bolton Council put pressure on us to have the shelter because they said people were smoking in the doorways.

Jump to full article »

Brussels Airport:Smokers room Concourse B 

At Brussels Airport a general non-smoking policy is applicable. Not only the departing passenger but also the growing number of transfer passengers requested the possibility to smoke. As from December 2009 an exception will be applied to the non-smoking policy. A new, first, smokers room will be opened halfway Concourse B, located next to the Bar (at gate B17).

Jump to full article »

• Anti-smoking laws being violated  

Smokers violating the law of complete ban on tobacco use at work and public places have still continued this practice in the federal capital. Citizens complained that after withdrawal of Statutory Rules and Orders (SRO), all public and work places have become smoke-free, therefore, smokers should not be allowed smoking or using tobacco in any other form in any public place.

They said individuals and offices are clearly violating the ordinance. They said complete implementation of law would help protect the health of non-smokers and make the smokers abiders of the concerned laws.

It is pertinent to mention here that earlier, all public and private offices were allowed to designate a separate place for smokers to smoke within office premises with adequate arrangements to protect the health of non-smokers.

However, such permission was being misused

Jump to full article »

Fremont to ban outdoor smoking at restaurants  

The closest thing to a smoking section for Fremont eateries soon will be the parking lot.

The City Council unanimously backed a new law Tuesday prohibiting restaurants from allowing smoking at outdoor tables.

The law, which is scheduled to go into effect in early December, puts Fremont on par with most East Bay cities, including Hayward, which already has banned outdoor smoking at restaurants, City Attorney Harvey Levine said.

Smoking bans for bus stops and parks could be next, council members said.

Fremont banned indoor smoking at restaurants more than a decade ago, but city officials had allowed restaurants to designate a contiguous half of their outdoor tables for smokers.

That law contributed to Fremont being one of only three Alameda County Cities to receive an "F" from the American Lung Association earlier this year.

Jump to full article »

Outdoor Smoking Ban Gains Support at City Hall  

It may soon be even more difficult for smokers in the City of Los Angeles to light up outside. A new, strict, outdoor smoking ordinance is gaining support at City Hall.

A city council committee expressed support Tuesday for the ban, but ordered several changes to the ordinance before sending it to the full council for approval. The council could consider the measure as early as next month.

City code already prohibits smoking in parks, farmers' markets and on city beaches, while state law bars customers from lighting up inside restaurants. Other cities have imposed far more restrictive bans; Calabasas, for instance, prohibits smoking in public areas.

Jump to full article »

PROHIBIT SMOKING IN OUTDOOR DINING AREAS 

Motion - That the City Attorney be requested to prepare and present an ordinance to prohibit smoking in outdoor dining areas and within five feet of such areas, similar to a recent ordinance enacted by the City of Burbank. . . .

Date Activity 10/22/2009 Arts, Parks, Health and Aging Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on October 27, 2009.

Jump to full article »

Nailsea pub Blue Flame smoking shelter ban  

Nailsea pub landlord may have to pull down a smoking shelter he put up outside his inn as councillors said it "adversely affected the character of the area".

Mick Davidson, who has run the Blue Flame pub at Netherton Wood Lane, West End, Nailsea, for 21 years, put up the pergola style shelter at the front of the pub a couple of months ago after customers complained that they had nowhere dry to enjoy a cigarette.

Mick had previously put up gazebos at the front of the pub for smokers, but was forced to take them down after they blew over in high winds.

He then decided to create the wooden shelter, which has a metal and felt roof and is concreted into the ground, in front of the main bar where his smokers gather for a puff outside the pub.

But the future of the shelter - and whether it can stay put - is in the balance after complaints from local residents.

Jump to full article »