11 October 2006

Smoking ban study shows health benefits for bar staff

***strictly not for use before 00.01 am Wednesday October 11 2006***

Scotland’s smoking ban has had an immediate and positive impact on the health of bar staff who were previously subject to high levels of passive cigarette smoke, a study conducted by researchers at the University of Dundee has concluded.

Staff monitored by researchers in the University’s Asthma and Allergy Research Group were shown to have experienced significant benefits to their general health as a result of the smoking ban.

The study is the first major piece of medical research into the effects of the ban. Results of the study are published today (October 11th) in JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The health of staff who worked in often smoky atmospheres in pubs and clubs was widely cited as one of the chief reasons for introducing the ban, which took effect on March 26th of this year.

"Our study shows that, across a number of health indicators, positive changes were evident even in the first two months following the introduction of the smoking ban, which is a very rapid change," said Dr Daniel Menzies, Principal Investigator in the Adult Asthma and Allergy Research Group, working under the direction of the head of the group Professor Brian Lipworth.

"We were looking at bar staff with symptoms attributable to cigarette smoke, and in those two months following the smoking ban the proportion showing symptoms fell from over 80% to less than 50%."

"We also recorded reductions in levels of nicotine in the bloodstream, breathing tests showed improvement in lung function of between 5% and 10 %, and there was less inflammation in the bloodstream, a factor which inputs into areas such as cardiovascular health."

"The greatest changes we saw were within bar staff who were asthmatic, a group we specifically targetted. With these people we saw an overall improvement in their general quality of life."

"This was a comprehensive study looking at a range of factors that may be affected by the absence of passive cigarette smoke and the general conclusion is that the smoking ban does improve the health of people working in an atmosphere where previously there was a lot of smoke."

Researchers carried out a range of tests on bar staff in and around Dundee, 77 of whom completed the study. The majority of them are full-time staff working in bars for around 30 hours per week. The average time spent working in bars was around nine years.

Those taking part in the study were subjected to tests one month before the smoking ban was implemented and then re-examined at periods of one and two months following the ban taking effect.

They were given breathing tests and a blood test to determine respiratory symptoms and levels of inflammation to the lungs and blood vessels. They were also given a quality of life questionnaire to complete.

The study was wholly funded by the University of Dundee.

NOTES TO EDITORS

In an accompanying editorial in JAMA, Mark D. Eisner, M.D., M.P.H., of the University of California, San Francisco, comments on the arguments made against banning smoking in certain places.

"Three common arguments are advanced against mandating smoke-free bars, restaurants, and other hospitality businesses. Each is fallacious. First, laws to prevent smoking in bars will not be effective. Four years after the California ban on smoking in bars, adherence with the law was high: 99 percent of bars in restaurants and 76 percent of freestanding bars were smoke-free. Near perfect adherence has been reported in Boston, Ireland, and New Zealand. Second, the general public will not accept smoke-free bars and restaurants. In fact, a series of international studies shows that most people do support smoke-free bars and restaurants. Moreover, public opinion becomes increasingly positive following smoke-free legislation. Third, smoke-free laws will cause bars and restaurants to lose money. Using sales tax and other objective financial data, studies now conclusively demonstrate that bars, restaurants, and hotels do not lose revenue after becoming smoke-free. In fact, some of these studies actually show a growth in income. In sum, smoke-free legislation is effective, accepted by the public, and has no negative economic impact."

"Mandating smoke-free workplaces will decrease secondhand smoke exposure and will improve respiratory health, prevent chronic disease, and extend life span. Important salutary health effects occur in as little as 1 month after cessation of secondhand smoke exposure. The comprehensive body of research documenting the serious adverse health effects of passive smoking provides a powerful rationale for prohibiting smoking in all public places. The time has come to clear the air," Dr. Eisner writes.

The Asthma and Allergy Research Group at the University of Dundee is led by Professor Brian Lipworth. The group consists of experts in the fields of asthma, allergic rhinitis and hayfever and is pursuing research into both childhood and adult asthma and allergies. The group has bases within Ninewells Hospital in Dundee and at Perth Royal Infirmary, and also conducts a wide-ranging outreach programme.

www.asthma-allergy-research.co.uk

For media enquiries contact:

Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk