Media release:                                                                         August 15, 2008

“Outdoor” smoking areas in pubs and clubs a health hazard

New study shows smoke levels exceed WHO limit by up to 5 times

Most partly-enclosed smoking areas of NSW pubs and clubs are still exposing workers and patrons to secondhand smoke in excess of the World Health Organisation recommended limit – and some as much as five times over.

Employee and health groups have called for an urgent review of NSW legislation - after what they called “alarming” readings from an air quality survey* of more than 40 suburban Sydney and southern tablelands pubs and clubs taken before and after smoking was prohibited in totally enclosed areas in July 2007. These “outdoor” areas are not subject to smoking restrictions, and many venues have packed them with pokies.

The survey findings were presented by SouthWest Sydney Area Health Service of NSW Health to a recent congress of the International Federation of Environmental Health. They describe air quality in partly-enclosed smoking areas as “still poor”, confirming similar findings overseas.

Secondhand smoke causes heart disease, cancer, respiratory and other illness, even in low dosages, especially with repeated or continuous exposure. There is no safe exposure level.

The study of small particulate concentration in 40 licensed venues found that, while there had been a “very significant improvement” in air quality since the 2007 changes:

• Most of the smoking-permitted areas had “poor” air quality, with most of these areas recording above the WHO-recommended 24-hour exposure limit of 25 micrograms per cubic metre, a third recording twice the limit, and some areas up to four or five times the limit.
• A quarter of the totally enclosed non-smoking areas tested still recorded small airborne particulates from secondhand smoke at levels higher than the WHO limit.
• Smoke levels are still problematic in some enclosed no-smoking rooms adjacent to smoking areas, with airborne particulates in at least 15% of the adjacent no-smoking rooms over the exposure limit.

Tony Thirlwell, CEO of the Heart Foundation NSW said:
“These alarming findings clearly show that a partially open smoking area is still an unsafe environment where people are exposed to harmful levels of secondhand smoke. This situation is unacceptable and confirms that the 2007 changes to the law did not go far enough to protect patrons or workers.”

Tim Ferrari, Assistant Federal Secretary of the LHMU hospitality workers’ union, added:
“This problem can be fixed. NSW should effectively separate smoking areas from working, including eating, spaces. Queensland has done this with good results.

“All smoky areas should be well separated and unserviced – by drink or food service, gaming, maintenance, entertainment or other workers, whether staff, casual or contract. WorkCoverNSW should be instructed to enforce the elimination of tobacco smoke from workplaces, just as it does with other toxic hazards.

“We’ve asked senior ministers to meet with us and discuss how smoking areas can be made safe for patrons and staff without further delay.”

* Presentation including venue pictures at  www.ashaust.org.au/ppts/AirQualNSW0805.ppt 

NOTE: Some slides deleted or amended at Health Dept request

Comment:  
Tim Ferrari, LHMU: m. 0425-242-727    
Tony Thirlwell, Heart Foundation: via m. 0405-283-352

Comment/media info:  
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; 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.

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