Secondhand Smoke (SHS)
The facts are in.Every major health organization in the world agrees that secondhand smoke is a serious health problem.Be informed and know the facts:
- Secondhand smoke, also known as environmental tobacco smoke, is a combination of “sidestream smoke” given off by smoldering cigarettes, cigars and pipes as well as “mainstream smoke” exhaled by the smoker.
- According to the EPA, there is no safe level of exposure to SHS, which is classified as a Class A cancer causing substance, in the same category as asbestos, radon and arsenic.
- It is the 3rd leading cause of preventable death in the
U.S.
Employee Health
- Restaurant workers are at significant risk and have three to six times more exposure to SHS than other workers.
- Non-smoking restaurant workers have a 50% higher risk of lung cancer than the general population.
- Waitresses, compared to other women are four times more likely to die from lung cancer and 2.5 times more likely to die from heart disease.
- Working an 8-hour shift, wait staff and bartenders can inhale carcinogens similar to smoking more than a ˝ pack of cigarettes.
- While people can choose to patronize smoking or non-smoking public places, the employees who are exposed to secondhand smoke often do not have the option of changing jobs to protect their health.
Smoke-Free Equals Good Business Sense
Why have many cities, states and countries created smoke-free public places?In addition to the health benefits of protecting workers and patrons, new studies indicate that smoke-free workplace laws are an economic benefit to communities as well.
Smoke-free Ordinances Increase Restaurant Profit and Value
Benjamin C. Alamar and Stanton A. Glantz
Abstract:This study estimates the value added to a restaurant by a smoke-free policy using regression analysis of the purchase price of restaurants as a function of the presence of a smoke-free law and other control variables.There was a median increase of 16% (interquartile range 11% to 25%) in the sale price of a restaurant in a jurisdiction with a smoke-free law compared to a comparable restaurant in a community without such a law.This result indicates that contrary to claims made by opponents of smoke-free laws, these laws are associated with an increase in restaurant profitability.(JEL I120, H000, D780)
Contemporary Economic Policy 2004 22(4): 520-525; doi:10.1093/cep/byh038
The Myth vs. Reality Regarding Ventilation and Filtration
Myth: Some businesses still propose ventilation and/or filtration as a solution to accommodating all customers without having to go completely smoke-free.
Reality: In June 2005, the ASHRAE (the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers) Board of Directors unanimously adopted a new position document on secondhand smoke, which states that ventilation cannot eliminate the health dangers posed by secondhand smoke and that smoking does not belong indoors.
ASHRAE, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers is the international standard setting body that sets the standard for indoor air quality.This standard can then be adopted into state and local building codes.At its June 2005 Summer Conference, the ASHRAE Board of Directors unanimously adopted a new position document on secondhand smoke, which states that ventilation cannot eliminate the health dangers posed by secondhand smoke and that smoking does not belong indoors.
ASHRAE’s Position Document on Environmental Tobacco Smoke is now public and can be distributed.Read the full report.
This new statement reaffirms:
• There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
• Ventilation and other air filtration technologies cannot eliminate all the health risks caused by secondhand smoke exposure.
• Tobacco smoke does not belong in indoor areas.
Ventilation & Air Purification Company Disclaimers
Many companies that make purification systems or air filtration products now include disclaimers with their products due to the ASHRAE position.Check your product today.
Key Note:No air filtration or purification system has been designed that can eliminate all indoor air irritants and pollution associated with secondhand tobacco smoke.In addition, there are no proven safe levels of secondhand tobacco smoke.Because of this UAS makes no claim that its filtration systems will reduce or eliminate the health risks caused by exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke.–United Air Specialists, Inc.