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Action on Smoking and Health
A National Legal-Action Antismoking Organization Entirely Supported by Tax-Deductible Contributions
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Italy: New Study Shows Cigarettes Pollute More Than Traffic [01/05-3]
Excerpts from: Cigarettes pollute more than traffic, study shows
English Easy Day [01/05/05]
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."
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