'Health improved after smoking ban'

Bar workers in Ireland are breathing easier since the smoking ban came in to force three years ago, according to new research.

Researchers have found the respiratory health of staff has improved significantly, with Irish pubs boasting an 83% decrease in air pollution.

The evidence is the most comprehensive available in the world on the post ban impacts on the respiratory health of bar workers.

It revealed staff were exposed to tobacco smoke for 40 hours per week before the ban, compared to 25 minutes per week post ban, a 99% drop in exposure.

And with smoking to be banned in all public indoor spaces across the UK by the end of the summer, the results are good news to employees in pubs and restaurants in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The unique study, one of the largest and detailed ever conducted on environmental tobacco smoke, was conducted by the Research Institute for a Tobacco Free Society, in collaboration with Dublin Institute Technology, and a research team headed by Professor Luke Clancy, chairman of ASH Ireland.

Particles and benzenes were measured in 42 Dublin pubs, with 73 male bar staff undergoing pre and post ban pulmonary function studies at St James' Hospital pulmonary laboratory. Employees also answered detailed health questionnaires.

The findings were published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

"Our research, which encompasses the introduction of our workplace smoking legislation, shows an 83% decrease in air pollution in Irish pubs and an 80% decrease in airborne carcinogens for both patrons and staff since the ban was introduced," said Prof Clancy. "The findings also show a highly significant improvement in the respiratory health of bar workers, one year after the ban was introduced. These finding once again highlight the importance of the Irish Government's decision to introduce this health legislation, an initiative which is being followed all around the world."

The smoking ban came in to force in Ireland in March 2004, in Scotland in March 2006 and in Wales on April 2 this year, while it is due to hit Northern Ireland on April 30 and England on July 1.

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