Cigarettes pollute more than traffic, study shows
5/1/2005 11:08
Cigarette smoking in closed areas produces more pollution than traffic
on a busy city street, according to a new study published on Tuesday by the
Italian Institute for Higher Health (ISS).
The study was carried out by the
University of Rome in cooperation with national health bureaus in the capital in
view of the January 10 ban on smoking in bars and
restaurants.
"This is
the first time that passive smoking has been effectively measured and not just
estimated," observed ISS chief Enrico Garaci.
"Our experts visited 40 bars,
restaurants, fast food restaurants,pubs and game parlours with special equipment
capable of measuring fine particle pollution (PM10) produced by cigarette
smoke," he explained.
"What we discovered was in restaurants, game parlours
and pubs, where there is less air circulation, the concentration of PM10 was
between 10 to 30 times more than on a city street," Garaci added.
According
to the ISS chief, "what this demonstrates is that the correct application of the
upcoming law will be effective in protecting people's health in general and, in
particular, children and non-smoking youths."
Italy's tough anti-smoking law
was passed by parliament in 2002 and the norms for its application were approved
by the cabinet in April 2003.
It came almost 30 years after a 1975 law
banning smoking from public places such as cinemas, schools, libraries,
hospitals and underground trains.
Starting January 10, Italy's restaurants,
bars, cafes and shops will have two options for dealing with smokers: either ban
them or put up walls between them and nonsmokers,
A recent poll found that
the vast majority of Italians, 83 percent, are in favor of separating smokers
from nonsmokers in restaurants and bars.
Italian Health Minister Girolamo
Sirchia said, "People are tired of being poisoned by cigarette fumes in the work
place and in places where they go to relax."
Xinhua
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