Cancer Res Treat.  2016 Jan;48(1):376-383. 10.4143/crt.2014.269.

Consequences of Incomplete Smoke-Free Legislation in the Republic of Korea: Results from Environmental and Biochemical Monitoring: Community Based Study

• Park EY
• Yun EH
• Lim MK
• Lee DH
• Yang W
• Jeong BY
• Hwang SH

• KMID: 2152296
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4143/crt.2014.269

Abstract

PURPOSE
In some countries with high smoking prevalence, smoke-free legislation has only been implemented in specific public places, as opposed to a comprehensive ban on smoking in all public places. The purpose of this study was to provide valid data on second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure that reflect the consequences of incomplete smoke-free legislation, and provide a rationale for expanding this legislation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Indoor and outdoor environmental exposure (fine particulate matter [PM2.5], air nicotine, and dust 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone [NNK]) was monitored in 35 public places where smoking is prohibited by law in Goyang, Republic of Korea. Biomarkers of SHS exposure (urinary cotinine, hair nicotine, and urinary 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol) were measured in 37 non-smoking employees. Geometric means and standard deviations were used in comparison of each measure.
RESULTS
Considerable exposure of SHS was detected at all indoor monitoring sites (PM2.5, 95.5 mug/m3 in private educational institutions; air nicotine, 0.77 mug/m3 in large buildings; and dust NNK, 160.3 pg/mg in large buildings); environmental measures were higher in private or closed locations, such as restrooms. Outdoor measures of SHS exposure were lowest in nurseries and highest in government buildings. Biochemical measures revealed a pattern of SHS exposure by monitoring site, and were highest in private educational institutions.
CONCLUSION
The evidence of SHS exposure in legislative smoke-free places in Korea suggests that incomplete smoke free legislation and lack of enforcement of it might not protect people from exposure to smoke. Therefore, active steps should be taken toward a comprehensive ban on smoking in all public places and its enforcement.

Keyword

Secondhand smoking; Health policy; Environmental health

MeSH Terms

Biological Markers
Cotinine
Dust
Environmental Exposure
Environmental Health
Hair
Health Policy
Jurisprudence
Korea
Nicotine
Nurseries
Particulate Matter
Prevalence
Republic of Korea*
Smoke
Smoking
Tobacco Smoke Pollution
Biological Markers
Cotinine
Dust
Nicotine
Particulate Matter
Smoke
Tobacco Smoke Pollution

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Geometric mean of hair nicotine concentration, urinary cotinine concentration, and urinary NNAL concentration in non-smoking full-time employees. NNAL, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol.

Reference

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