A study to be published today will show that there was an 83 per cent decrease in air pollution in pubs since the workplace smoking ban was introduced three years ago.
The study was conducted by the Research Institute for a Tobacco Free Society in collaborations with the Dublin Institute of Technology and a research team headed up by Prof Luke Clancy, director general of the institute. It will be published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine this morning.
Prof Clancy said this was one of the largest and most detailed studies ever conducted on the impact of environmental tobacco smoke. "Our research, which encompasses the introduction of our workplace smoking legislation, shows an 83 per cent decrease in air pollution in Irish pubs and an 80 per cent decrease in airborne carcinogens for both patrons and staff since the ban was introduced."
He said the findings also showed "a highly significant" improvement in the respiratory health of bar workers.
The study measured small air particles and benzene in 42 Dublin pubs.
Some 73 male bar staff underwent pre and post-ban pulmonary function studies at St James's Hospital pulmonary laboratory. The bar staff also answered detailed health questionnaires.
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