Cancer Res Treat.  2016 Apr;48(2):834-837. 10.4143/crt.2015.151.

Scientific Evidence Supporting Policy Change: A Study on Secondhand Smoke Exposure in Non-smoking Areas of PC Rooms in Korea

• Hong SY
• Lim MK
• Yun EH
• Park EY
• Jeong BY
• Yang W
• Lee DH

• KMID: 2454362
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4143/crt.2015.151

Abstract

PURPOSE
The objective of this study was to measure secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in personal computer (PC) rooms with the purpose of determining the strength of scientific evidence supporting the legislative ban on smoking in PC rooms located in the Republic of Korea.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From June to September 2012, particulate matter (PM2.5) and air nicotine concentration (ANC) were measured in the smoking and non-smoking areas of PC rooms in Goyang City, Korea. In 28 randomly sampled PC rooms, field investigators completed an observational questionnaire on building characteristics, smoking policies, and evidence of smoking. The geometric means (GM) of PM2.5 and ANC in smoking and non-smoking areas were compared.
RESULTS
Evidence of smoking was identified in both the smoking and non-smoking areas of all PC rooms. The GMs of PM2.5 and ANC in both areas were high and did not differ significantly (174.77 μg/m3 and 48.95 μg/m3 in smoking areas; 93.38 μg/m3 and 41.30 μg/m3 in non-smoking areas). Overall PM2.5 concentrations were 5.5-fold higher than those listed in the World Health Organization guidelines.
CONCLUSION
This study supported previous reports that a partial smoking ban did not protect individuals from SHS exposure. Furthermore, the results from our study suggest how research can support policy. Countries in which smoke-free policies are not yet comprehensive may find our results useful.

Keyword

Tobacco Smoke Pollution; Personal computer room; Smoke-free policy; Air nicotine; PM2.5

MeSH Terms

Humans
Korea*
Microcomputers
Nicotine
Particulate Matter
Republic of Korea
Research Personnel
Smoke
Smoke-Free Policy
Smoking
Tobacco Smoke Pollution*
World Health Organization
Nicotine
Particulate Matter
Smoke
Tobacco Smoke Pollution

Reference

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