Secondhand smoke exposure in bars and restaurants in Guatemala City: before and after smoking ban evaluation.
OBJECTIVE
In February 2009, Guatemala implemented a comprehensive smoking ban. We assessed air nicotine levels in bars and restaurants 6 months after the ban (post-ban) and compared them with levels found in 2006 (pre-ban).


METHODS
Exposure was estimated by passive sampling of vapor-phase nicotine using samplers (n=50) placed for 7 working days in 10 bars and 11 restaurants in Guatemala City. Air nicotine was measured by gas chromatography, and the time-weighted average concentration in μg/m(3) was estimated. Employees answered a survey about smoke-free workplaces (n = 32) and compared with pre-ban (n = 37) results.


RESULTS
Nicotine was detectable in all bars pre- and post-ban. In restaurants, it was detectable in all pre- and 73% post-ban. Median nicotine concentrations in bars significantly decreased from 4.58 μg/m(3) (IQR, 1.71, 6.45) pre-ban to 0.28 μg/m(3) (IQR 0.17, 0.66) post-ban (87% decrease). In restaurants, concentrations significantly decreased from 0.58 μg/m(3) (IQR, 0.44, 0.71) to 0.04 μg/m(3) (IQR 0.01, 0.11) (95% decrease). Employees' support for a smoke-free workplace increased in the post-ban survey (from 32 to 81%, p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Six months after the implementation of a smoke-free law in Guatemala, nicotine levels were significantly decreased in bars and restaurants and workers' support for the law substantially increased.
Cardiovascular Unit of Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala. jbarnoya@post.harvard.edu
Joaquin
J
Barnoya
Mariel
M
Arvizu
Miranda R
MR
Jones
Juan C
JC
Hernandez
Patrick N
PN
Breysse
Ana
A
Navas-Acien
D000328:Adult; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006166:Guatemala; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009538:Nicotine / Q000032:analysis*; D012147:Restaurants / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012907:Smoking / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000032:analysis* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D009538:Nicotine