Scientific Evidence Supporting Policy Change: A Study on Secondhand Smoke Exposure in Non-smoking Areas of PC Rooms in Korea.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to measure secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in personal computer (PC) rooms with the purpose of determining the strength of scientific evidence supporting the legislative ban on smoking in PC rooms located in the Republic of Korea.


METHODS
From June to September 2012, particulate matter (PM2.5) and air nicotine concentration (ANC) were measured in the smoking and non-smoking areas of PC rooms in Goyang City, Korea. In 28 randomly sampled PC rooms, field investigators completed an observational questionnaire on building characteristics, smoking policies, and evidence of smoking. The geometric means (GM) of PM2.5 and ANC in smoking and non-smoking areas were compared.


RESULTS
Evidence of smoking was identified in both the smoking and non-smoking areas of all PC rooms. The GMs of PM2.5 and ANC in both areas were high and did not differ significantly (174.77 μg/m(3) and 48.95 μg/m(3) in smoking areas; 93.38 μg/m(3) and 41.30 μg/m(3) in non-smoking areas). Overall PM2.5 concentrations were 5.5-fold higher than those listed in the World Health Organization guidelines.


CONCLUSIONS
This study supported previous reports that a partial smoking ban did not protect individuals from SHS exposure. Furthermore, the results from our study suggest how research can support policy. Countries in which smoke-free policies are not yet comprehensive may find our results useful.
Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
Soon-Yeol
SY
Hong
Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.|Department of Cancer Policy and Management, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
Min Kyung
MK
Lim
Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.|Department of Cancer Policy and Management, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
E Hwa
EH
Yun
Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
Eun Young
EY
Park
Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
Bo Yoon
BY
Jeong
Department of Occupational Health, Catholic University of Daegu, Daegu, Korea.
Wonho
W
Yang
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Center for Diagnostic Oncology, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
Do-Hoon
DH
Lee
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003201:Computers; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D009538:Nicotine / Q000032:analysis; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D061845:Smoke-Free Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012907:Smoking / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000032:analysis* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D009538:Nicotine
Air nicotine; PM2.5; Personal computer room; Smoke-free policy; Tobacco Smoke Pollution