TOBACCO SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES RESTAURANTS BARS PUBS
TOBACCO SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES (RESTAURANTS, BARS, PUBS, TAVERNS, CASINOS etc. ) By Abednego Baker
BACKGROUND Current legislation (Reg Gazette No. 6895, R 975 of 2000) permits the person in control of a public area to designate part of the public area as a smoking area and requires such person to control smoking such that the rest of the public place is not affected Tobacco smoke in these areas are poorly controlled resulting in exposure to occupants in non-smoking areas
BACKGROUND CONT … Few of these areas in RSA use controlling strategies (engineering) while most rely on non- controlled ventilation (natural ventilation) Hierarchy of control ü ü Elimination Control § § § Engineering Administrative PPE
THE PROBLEM These smoking areas are serviced by waiters who serve food and drinks ü ü ü The waiters are often part-time, young and vulnerable most of whom are students – the culture of non-smoking should begin with the youth There are no measures in place to protect these employees from exposure to tobacco smoke in the smoking areas Tobacco Products Control Amendment Act [Regulation R. 975] vs. OHSA
THE PROBLEM CONT … ü - Smoke in these areas escape to the smoking areas Ø Ø Ø non Studies have shown that occupants in the non-smoking areas are exposed to tobacco smoke from the smoking areas Finish Institute of OH – Nicotine concentrations of up to 15. 2 μg/m 3 were measured in the smoking area and 2. 9 -3 μg/m 3 were measured in the smoke- free section Institute of Env Health, Uni Vienna – Highest nicotine concentration in smoking area was 487. 1 μg/m 3 and in the smoke-free area 15. 9 -23. 3 μg/m 3
RECOMMENDATION All workplaces should be 100% smoke-free ü ü ü Smoke-free policies improve Air Quality and Reduce the risk of secondhand smoke exposure No risk–free level of exposure to secondhand smoke (carcinogens) Ventilation systems cannot remove secondhand smoke from indoor environments - American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air– Conditioning Engineers
RECOMMENDATION CONT … ü ü These systems can distribute secondhand smoke throughout a building Can remove large particles, but not the smaller particles or the gases found in secondhand smoke
RECOMMENDATION CONT … ü Smoke-free policies – economic impact Ø A study by Texas Department of Health (TDH) and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to assess whether tobacco ban affected restaurants and bar revenues in El Paso, Texas revealed that no statistically significant changes in restaurant and bar revenues occurred
RECOMMENDATION CONT…
RECOMMENDATION CONT … Ø Ø ü Another study was conducted in 15 California cities by Stanton et al revealed that smoke-free ordinances do not adversely affect either restaurant or bar sales A similar study in West Lake Hills, Texas produced similar results International perspective Ø Ø About 18 States in America have banned smoking in public places, especially restaurants and bars Other countries like Norway, Scotland have also banned smoking in public places
CONCLUSION TOBACCO SMOKE CANNOT BE CONTROLLED, THEREFORE SMOKING SHOULD BE BANNED IN PUBLIC PLACES
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