142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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306742
A physiological assessment of secondhand smoke exposure in the absence of a comprehensive smoking ban

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Sunday, November 16, 2014

Melanie Canterberry, PhD , Research and Evaluation, Louisiana Public Health Institute, New Orleans, LA
Daniel Harrington, MSPH, ScD, CIH , Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Louisiana State University/ Health Sciences Center, School of Public Health, New Orleans, LA
Atif Ghaffar, MD, MPH , Louisiana Public Health Institute, New Orleans, LA
Lauren Czaplicki, MPH , Louisiana Public Health Institute, New Orleans, LA
Lindsey Rudov, MPH(c) , Louisiana Public Health Institute, New Orleans, LA
John K. Gerig, MPH , Louisiana Public Health Institute, New Orleans, LA
Megan Tulikangas, MPP , Louisiana Public Health Institute, New Orleans, LA
Thomas Carton, PhD , Louisiana Public Health Institute, New Orleans, LA
Background: The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living seeks to expand local smoke-free policy to prohibit smoking in bars and casinos. Ample research suggests that exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) in these venues puts non-smoking patrons and employees at elevated risk for immediate respiratory symptoms (i.e. coughing) and chronic health problems (i.e. cancers). While clinical literature has focused largely on the health outcomes associated with long-term exposure to secondhand smoke, the current study assesses immediate physiological changes after acute exposure to SHS. This study’s results support the expansion of the currently partial smoke-free air laws in Louisiana.

Methods: 96 non-smoking, healthy individuals (21-34 years old) were exposed to 3 hours of secondhand smoke at a local bar. Baseline measurements of lung function (i.e. FVC, FEV1) and exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) were assessed at baseline, immediately after 3 hours of exposure to SHS, and 2 hours after exposure was completely removed. Additionally, while in the bar, each participant wore a Sidepak and CO monitor to measure individual exposure. Diet, physical activity, regular SHS exposure, and smoking history data was also gathered to include in multivariate modeling.

Discussion: The current study is the first of its kind in the clinical literature to assess the physiological effects of recreational exposure to secondhand smoke. This research supports findings from other U.S. states that employee health improves after implementation of comprehensive smoking bans and will allow for clinical, corroboratory evidence to finally enter the smoke-free air debate in the state of Louisiana.

Learning Areas:

Epidemiology
Occupational health and safety
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Describe the effects of acute secondhand smoke exposure on non-smoking young adults. Discuss the contribution of these results to the smoke-free policy dialogue in Louisiana and elsewhere.

Keyword(s): Tobacco Control, Chronic Disease Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I conceive, manage, and coordinate many aspects of research across multiple programs, regional staff, and established partners.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 2056.0: Tobacco Free Policies & Science on Second- & Third-Hand Smoke