Air Quality in Bars of São Paulo/Brazil before and after the Smoke-Free Law in Indoor Places

Abstract

Introduction: Secondhand smoke is currently considered the main pollutant in indoor environments, with no safe levels of exposure. Objective: The present study aims to quantify levels of air nicotine in bars in São Paulo, Brazil, before and after the state law that bans smoking in indoor places. Method: The study was conducted in partnership between the Alliance for the Control of Tobacco Use - Brazil, and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health – USA. Air nicotine was measured using passive air monitors containing a filter treated with sodium bisulfate. The quantity of air nicotine absorbed by the filters was measured in the laboratory at Johns Hopkins University. The study was conducted in 16 bars and the total amount of valid samples was 72. Results: On average, a 72% reduction in air nicotine was found in the surveyed establishments after the smoking ban in indoor places in the state of Sao Paulo was adopted. This indicates improvement in air quality within these environments and a decreased risk of exposure to secondhand smoke for both clients and workers. Conclusion: The results of this study provide local evidence for the effectiveness of such policies and support the need for federal legislation guar anteeing 100% smoke-free indoor environments to all Brazilians.