Cancer Research and Treatment

Original Articles

Scientific Evidence Supporting Policy Change: A Study on Secondhand Smoke Exposure in Non-smoking Areas of PC Rooms in Korea: Soon-Yeol Hong, Min Kyung Lim, E Hwa Yun, Eun Young Park, Bo Yoon Jeong, Wonho Yang, Do-Hoon Lee; Cancer Res Treat. 2016;48(2):834-837. Published online August 12, 2015; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4143/crt.2015.151

Abstract PDF PubReader ePub: Purpose
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.
Materials and Methods
From June to September 2012, particulate matter (PM_2.5) 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 PM_2.5 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 PM_2.5 and ANC in both areas were high and did not differ significantly (174.77 μg/m³ and 48.95 μg/m³ in smoking areas; 93.38 μg/m³ and 41.30 μg/m³ in non-smoking areas). Overall PM_2.5 concentrations were 5.5-fold higher than those listed in the World Health Organization guidelines.
Conclusion
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.

11,530 View
94 Download

Consequences of Incomplete Smoke-Free Legislation in the Republic of Korea: Results from Environmental and Biochemical Monitoring: Community Based Study: Eun Young Park, E Hwa Yun, Min Kyung Lim, Do-Hoon Lee, Wonho Yang, Bo Yoon Jeong, Sang-Hyun Hwang; Cancer Res Treat. 2016;48(1):376-383. Published online April 24, 2015; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4143/crt.2014.269

Purpose
In some countries with high smoking prevalence, smoke-free legislation has only been implemented in specific public places, as opposed to a comprehensive ban on smoking in all public places. The purpose of this study was to provide valid data on second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure that reflect the consequences of incomplete smoke-free legislation, and provide a rationale for expanding this legislation.
Materials and Methods
Indoor and outdoor environmental exposure (fine particulate matter [PM2.5], air nicotine, and dust 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone [NNK]) was monitored in 35 public places where smoking is prohibited by law in Goyang, Republic of Korea. Biomarkers of SHS exposure (urinary cotinine, hair nicotine, and urinary 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1- butanol) were measured in 37 non-smoking employees. Geometric means and standard deviations were used in comparison of each measure.
Results
Considerable exposure of SHS was detected at all indoor monitoring sites (PM2.5, 95.5 μg/m3 in private educational institutions; air nicotine, 0.77 μg/m3 in large buildings; and dust NNK, 160.3 pg/mg in large buildings); environmental measures were higher in private or closed locations, such as restrooms. Outdoor measures of SHS exposure were lowest in nurseries and highest in government buildings. Biochemical measures revealed a pattern of SHS exposure by monitoring site, and were highest in private educational institutions.
Conclusion
The evidence of SHS exposure in legislative smoke-free places in Korea suggests that incomplete smoke free legislation and lack of enforcement of it might not protect people from exposure to smoke. Therefore, active steps should be taken toward a comprehensive ban on smoking in all public places and its enforcement.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Environmental tobacco smoke at home and in public places prior to smoking ban enforcement: Assessment by hair analysis in a population of young adult students
Claire Roseren, Sylvia Binck, François Faÿs, Maria Ruiz‐Castell, Hanen Samouda, Brice M. R. Appenzeller
Drug Testing and Analysis.2023; 15(9): 962. CrossRef
Thirdhand smoke exposure: Differences in smoke exposure indices and cultural norms between hotels and motels in South Korea
Myung-Bae Park, Tae Sic Lee, Jee Eun Oh, Do Hoon Lee
Indoor and Built Environment.2022; 31(2): 510. CrossRef
Assessment of passive human exposure to tobacco smoke by environmental and biological monitoring in different public places in Wuhan, central China
Qing Zhong, Yilin Li, Xin Mei, Junlin Li, Yuanxia Huang
International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health.2022; 244: 114008. CrossRef
Exposure to Secondhand Smoke: Inconsistency between Self-Response and Urine Cotinine Biomarker Based on Korean National Data during 2009–2018
Boram Sim, Myung-Bae Park
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2021; 18(17): 9284. CrossRef
Characteristics of Non-Smokers’ Exposure Using Indirect Smoking Indicators and Time Activity Patterns
Byung Lyul Woo, Min Kyung Lim, Eun Young Park, Jinhyeon Park, Hyeonsu Ryu, Dayoung Jung, Marcus J. Ramirez, Wonho Yang
Sustainability.2020; 12(21): 9099. CrossRef
Towards smoke-free cars in the Republic of Korea: Evidence from environmental and biochemical monitoring of thirdhand smoke exposure in taxis
Eun Park, Min Lim, Sun Yeol Hong, Jee Oh, Bo Jeong, E Yun, Wonho Yang, Do-Hoon Lee
Tobacco Induced Diseases.2018;[Epub] CrossRef
Biomarkers of Exposure to Secondhand and Thirdhand Tobacco Smoke: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives
Sònia Torres, Carla Merino, Beatrix Paton, Xavier Correig, Noelia Ramírez
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2018; 15(12): 2693. CrossRef

10,513 View
92 Download
7 Web of Science
7 Crossref

First
Prev
Page of 1
Next
Last

Search