Media release: September 15, 2007
New
research has confirmed that partly enclosed “outdoor” smoking areas in pubs
can expose patrons and staff to potentially harmful levels of secondhand smoke.
And smoke levels in indoor no-smoking spaces
adjacent to smoking areas can also be unacceptably high, say health and employee
groups – who are urging speedy and total separation of smoking from working,
eating and child-accessible areas.
Concerns
over secondhand smoke levels in partly enclosed and adjacent areas have been
confirmed by a preliminary University of Otago study of New Zealand pub smoking
areas, presented this month to the Oceania Tobacco Control Conference in
Auckland.*
The
study found that fine particles in the air in “outdoor” (partly enclosed)
areas of Wellington pubs was peaking at more than four times the WHO-recommended
safe level for 24-hour exposure, and more than five times the outdoor background
level.
Smoke
drift from these areas was also causing adjacent indoor no-smoking areas to
register particle levels more than three times the WHO-recommended level and
almost four times the ambient level in some pubs.
Authors
of the study recommend consideration of policy options including removing
staffed bars from smoking areas and better separation of smoking from
non-smoking areas, to protect staff and patrons including children.
Says
Stafford Sanders, co-ordinator of the SmokeFree Australia workplace coalition:
“These readings were taken in southern New Zealand bars in winter – when
outdoor patronage would be low. You would expect readings in Sydney in
summertime to be even higher.
“This
confirms what previous research has shown: that the risk to staff and patrons
from staffed semi-enclosed areas is unacceptable and should be ended urgently.
“What
we have here is a violation of OH&S rights, and an immediate threat to the
health of vulnerable patrons and workers – especially any with heart,
asthmatic or other smoke-affected conditions. Children are also particularly at
risk, as previous research has shown.
“In
Australia, only Queensland and Tasmania have legislated adequately against this
danger. Other jurisdictions need to separate smoking areas from working areas
– including eating and gaming areas.
“The
consequences of not doing so will be more preventable illness and potentially
more deaths from secondhand smoke exposure.”
*
Edwards R et al, “Smokefree policies: where to next?” preliminary findings
presented 6/9/07 to OTCC Auckland
Comment:
Stafford Sanders, SmokeFree Australia
ph. (02) 9334-1823
m. 0412-070-194
* SmokeFree Australia coalition
for clean safe workplaces:
Liquor,
Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers’ Union; Musicians’ Union of Australia; Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance; Australian Council of
Trade Unions; Action on Smoking and Health Australia; The Cancer Council
Australia; National Heart Foundation of Australia; Australian Council on Smoking
and Health; Non-Smokers’ Movement of Australia; Australian Medical
Association; Asthma and Allergy Research Institute.