Feb. 7, 2010
Kanawha County Health Department 'No Knowledge' of Any Bars Closing Due to Smoking Ban
Scientific Studies Conclude Smoke Eating Devices Do Not Significantly Reduce Odor and Carcinogens
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Charleston, WV (HNN) -- Having imposed its no smoking in bars ban over a year ago, the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department told HNN they have “no knowledge” of any establishments permanently shutting down due to economic or other conditions.
The County’s most blatant offender, The Blackhawk Saloon, has in exchange for receiving its liquor license back agreed to enforce the policy.
Anita Ray as a spokesperson for Dr. Rahul Gupta, director, said, “ We have no knowledge of it if any Kanawha County establishments have closed due to our Clean Indoor Air Regulation.” As for an overall economic impact, the deep recessionary conditions throughout the economy places revenue lost due to the clean air regulation as a tough assessment.
“You would need to get the figures on revenues from the County/State Tax Divisions. Please note that these figures would be difficult to pull apart from the down turn in the economy in general at this time,” Ms. Ray said.
Although the undercover ABCC inspection of the Blackhawk which openly disregarded the law, the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department representative indicated that ease and enforcement difficulties have “been a learning experience. CIAR depends on two things, our manpower and our ability to work with our county prosecutor.” Ray said enforcement has become “easier.” Statistic wise, the department has filed 26 magistrate court complaints. Over 5,000 CIA inspections have occurred in the last eighteen months.
“We have received less complaints over time and there have NOT been many repeat offenders,” Ray said.
SMOKE EATERS, VENTILATION
The Department cited various studies that the so-called “smoke eating” air purifiers have marginal impact.
“There may be studies on the different types of ‘filtering devices’ for second hand smoke, none of which have been proven to facilitate any significant benefit to the reduction of tobacco toxins,” Ms. Ray explained adding, “Dr. Gupta has personally discussed this issue with one of the people who is an ‘authority’ on the subject and the general belief is that there is no was a filtering device or separated area can provided ‘safe’ air.”
Several scientific studies have under taken “second hand smoke” in bars and casino environments.
One Boston, Mass. Study published in 2006 by the Dept. of Public Health and Family Medicine (Tuffs University School of Medicine) tested pre-ban and post-ban air at six pubs. The study took “air exchange” (carbon dioxide) rates into consideration. Among the study’s conclusions: Ventilation failed to control Second Hand Smoke, leading to increased risk of the diseases of air pollution for nonsmoking workers and patrons. Boston's smoking ban eliminated this risk. In order words, ventilation decreased the carbon dioxide, but did not significantly reduce odor and sensory irritation thresholds.
Prior to the ban SHS levels were ten times above acceptable carcinogenic allowances. Indoor levels after the smoking ban was 90 to 95% of the outdoor range.
Finally, the Irish and pubs go together like pie and ice cream, Yet, the government has instituted smoking bans there too. Before taking effect, the researchers in 2007-2008 found 81 bar workers who volunteered for a year of testing regarding environmental smoke exposure and respiratory symptoms.
Due to the reduction in pollutants, there were “statistically significant improvements in measured pulmonary function tests and significant reductions in significant reductions in self-reported symptoms and exposures levels in nonsmoking barmen volunteers after the ban. Therefore, “a total workplace smoking ban results in signicant reductions in air pollution in pubs and an improvement in respiratory health in barmen,” according to a study conducted and published by the Dublin Institute of Technology.
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Kanawha County Health Department 'No Knowledge' of Any Bars Closing Due to Smoking Ban
Scientific Studies Conclude Smoke Eating Devices Do Not Significantly Reduce Odor and Carcinogens
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Charleston, WV (HNN) -- Having imposed its no smoking in bars ban over a year ago, the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department told HNN they have “no knowledge” of any establishments permanently shutting down due to economic or other conditions.
The County’s most blatant offender, The Blackhawk Saloon, has in exchange for receiving its liquor license back agreed to enforce the policy.
Anita Ray as a spokesperson for Dr. Rahul Gupta, director, said, “ We have no knowledge of it if any Kanawha County establishments have closed due to our Clean Indoor Air Regulation.” As for an overall economic impact, the deep recessionary conditions throughout the economy places revenue lost due to the clean air regulation as a tough assessment.
“You would need to get the figures on revenues from the County/State Tax Divisions. Please note that these figures would be difficult to pull apart from the down turn in the economy in general at this time,” Ms. Ray said.
Although the undercover ABCC inspection of the Blackhawk which openly disregarded the law, the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department representative indicated that ease and enforcement difficulties have “been a learning experience. CIAR depends on two things, our manpower and our ability to work with our county prosecutor.” Ray said enforcement has become “easier.” Statistic wise, the department has filed 26 magistrate court complaints. Over 5,000 CIA inspections have occurred in the last eighteen months.
“We have received less complaints over time and there have NOT been many repeat offenders,” Ray said.
SMOKE EATERS, VENTILATION
The Department cited various studies that the so-called “smoke eating” air purifiers have marginal impact.
“There may be studies on the different types of ‘filtering devices’ for second hand smoke, none of which have been proven to facilitate any significant benefit to the reduction of tobacco toxins,” Ms. Ray explained adding, “Dr. Gupta has personally discussed this issue with one of the people who is an ‘authority’ on the subject and the general belief is that there is no was a filtering device or separated area can provided ‘safe’ air.”
Several scientific studies have under taken “second hand smoke” in bars and casino environments.
One Boston, Mass. Study published in 2006 by the Dept. of Public Health and Family Medicine (Tuffs University School of Medicine) tested pre-ban and post-ban air at six pubs. The study took “air exchange” (carbon dioxide) rates into consideration. Among the study’s conclusions: Ventilation failed to control Second Hand Smoke, leading to increased risk of the diseases of air pollution for nonsmoking workers and patrons. Boston's smoking ban eliminated this risk. In order words, ventilation decreased the carbon dioxide, but did not significantly reduce odor and sensory irritation thresholds.
Prior to the ban SHS levels were ten times above acceptable carcinogenic allowances. Indoor levels after the smoking ban was 90 to 95% of the outdoor range.
Finally, the Irish and pubs go together like pie and ice cream, Yet, the government has instituted smoking bans there too. Before taking effect, the researchers in 2007-2008 found 81 bar workers who volunteered for a year of testing regarding environmental smoke exposure and respiratory symptoms.
Due to the reduction in pollutants, there were “statistically significant improvements in measured pulmonary function tests and significant reductions in significant reductions in self-reported symptoms and exposures levels in nonsmoking barmen volunteers after the ban. Therefore, “a total workplace smoking ban results in signicant reductions in air pollution in pubs and an improvement in respiratory health in barmen,” according to a study conducted and published by the Dublin Institute of Technology.
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Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
