title: Second-hand smoke in indoor hospitality venues in Pakistan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Second-hand smoke (SHS) constitutes a significant public health threat in countries with a high smoking prevalence. However, data assessing the quality of indoor air at public venues in Pakistan are limited.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To measure mean concentrations of PM(2.5) (particulate matter ≤2.5 microns in diameter), a sensitive indicator of SHS, in hospitality venues in Pakistan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected discreetly from 39 indoor venues such as cafes, restaurants and shisha (water-pipe) bars from three major cities in Pakistan. Data were recorded using a portable air quality monitoring device.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall mean PM(2.5) value for the visited venues was 846 μg/m(3) (95%CI 484-1205). The mean PM(2.5) value was 101 μg/m(3) (95%CI 69-135 μg/m(3)) for non-smoking venues, 689 μg/m(3) (95%CI 241-1138) for cigarette smoking venues and 1745 μg/m(3) (95%CI 925-2565) for shisha smoking venues.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The significant levels of SHS recorded in this study, in particular from shisha smoking venues, could represent a major public health burden in Pakistan. Appropriate legislation needs to be enforced to protect the health of those exposed to the hazards of second-hand tobacco smoke.
authors.affiliation: Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: S M A
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Zaidi
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Moin
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D010154:Pakistan; D012147:Restaurants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012907:Smoking / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000032:analysis* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution