Beijing To Ban Smoking Policy Part Of The Dining Secondhand Smoke Exposure Evaluation

BackgroundSecondhand smoke(SHS) exposure of hospitality venues is prevalent,which has lead to great health hazards.The experience from other countries tells us that smoke-free law is the key to eliminate SHS exposure and protect people from SHS risk.As the host of 2008 Olympic Games,China had made a publicly promise that the Games would be smoke-free.Thus the People's Government of Beijing City promulgated Administrative Regulation about smoke-free rules in public places on 31 March 2008 which came into effect on 1 May 2008.The New Regulation prohibits smoking in 10 categories of public places,but 5 categories of public places,including hospitality venues can keep smoking areas.ObjectiveTo collect information on the execution of partial smoking-free policy in hospitality venues as well as levels of particulate matters less than 2.5 microns in diameter(PM_2.5); To evaluate the effectiveness of partial smoking-free policy in hospitality venues.MethodsA total number of 94 hospitality venues were conveniently sampled in Beijing, considering the proportion of different types,smoking policy and their holding capacity. The SHS exposure was assessed by observation and measuring the level of particulate matters using TSI Sidepak in these hospitality venues.94 hospitality venues were tested about their PM_2.5 level in 2008,18 of which were tested for three times,and 52 of which tested for two times,together with another 42 venues which had been promulgated "smoke-free hospitality venues".Results1) 39 of smoke-free hospitality venues which had been promulgated completely banned smoking and 3 venues partially banned smoking.13 of Follow-up survey of 52 venues completely banned smoking and 13 venues partially banned smoking.There are 13 venues existing smoking in the 52 completely banned smoking venues conducted in 2008,and 5 venues existing smoking in the 15 partially banned smoking venues. During these venues where people run counter to smoking policy,there were 90%no people stopping it.2) The average indoor PM_2.5 level of 94 venues was 103.89μg/m³,and outdoor 87.38μg/m³.The average indoor PM_2.5 level is higher than outdoor.3) The average indoor PM_2.5 level of 16 venues with no sign of banning smoking was 130.15μg/m³,and the other was 115.89μg/m³.The SHS exposure changed little in the venues with sign of banning smoking comparing with that no smoking banning sign.4) Analysis of covariance implies that the indoor PM_2.5 level of completely and partially banning smoking venues was lower than that in the venues with no smoking regulation, however,there was no difference in the indoor PM_2.5 level between completely and partially banning smoking venues.5) The indoor PM_2.5 level has no notable association with the situation about smoking and non-smoking area.The ventilation facilities also can't reduce the SHS exposure.6) The fuel type and conditions of separation of dinning room from kitchen have on a noticeable influence on the indoor PM_2.5 level.7) Evaluation of banning smoking policy in hospitality venues indicates that the indoor PM_2.5 concentration of 52 venues in 2008 is lower than that in 2007.8) Analysis of covariance of 18 venues surveying for three years shows that the indoor PM_2.5 level had changed little in the past three years.ConclusionThe average indoor PM_2.5 level of hospitality venues has obviously declined after implementation of Beijing's partial smoke-free policy,but this degree is not so distinct as that of other countries which had done such research,and the average indoor PM_2.5 concentration higher than the health standard of SHS exposure;The supervision of partial smoke-free policy of hospitality venues in Beijing is weak,and execution is not enough; The proportion of venues which have taken such policy is small;The ventilation facilities can not eliminate the SHS exposure;The smoke-free policy is the key to solve SHS exposure problems.