Second-hand smoke
Health risks
Passive smoking means breathing in other people's tobacco smoke. The health risks of exposure to second-hand smoke or 'environmental tobacco smoke' (ETS) as it is also known are clear.
The Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health concludes that:
- Exposure to second-hand smoke is a cause of lung cancer and, in those with long-term exposure, the increased risk is 20-30%
- Exposure to second-hand smoke is a cause of heart disease, and represents a substantial public health hazard
- Exposure to second-hand smoke can cause asthma in children, and may increase the severity of the condition in children already affected
In addition to the long-term effects, recent research published in the British Medical Journal suggests that second-hand smoke may trigger heart attacks in some people after only short periods of exposure.
Although the absolute level of risk is not yet known, it has been advised that people at risk of coronary heart disease and those with known coronary artery disease should, where possible, avoid indoor smoky environments.
In the workplace
- Employers have a duty under section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all their employees.
- The introduction of smoking policies that restrict or ban smoking in the workplace can result in a reduction in the short-term effects of passive smoking and improve the quality of the working environment for all staff. Smoking policies that ban smoking in the workplace have also been shown to encourage smokers to give up smoking.
- Ventilation systems have been suggested as a means of reducing exposure to second-hand smoke in workplaces and leisure facilities, but research suggests that the air-flows possible with current ventilation systems are not sufficient to eliminate the health risk associated with second-hand smoke.
Here we explain about the current arrangements which aim to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke in public places in Scotland and what the options are for the future.
Existing policy
The Executive currently works in partnership with business interests to encourage smoke-free environments in enclosed public places in Scotland through voluntary action.
It supports Scotland's Health at Work and NHS Health Scotland in efforts to encourage employers to introduce smoking policies in their workplaces.
As a result smoke-filled buses and cinemas are a thing of the past and an increasing number of shopping and sports centres, restaurants and other public places have adopted smoking policies which prohibit smoking or which provide separate smoking areas.
Workers and customers in some environments are, of course, liable to experience much greater exposure to second-hand smoke. Bar staff and those working in the hospitality industry are obvious examples.
To encourage improvements in smoke-free provision in the licensed, tourism and hospitality sector – pubs, bars, restaurants, hotels, etc. – an industry initiative The Scottish Voluntary Charter on Smoking in Public Places was launched in May 2000 to encourage venue operators to set a formal smoking policy. Operators can currently adopt one of five levels of policy:
- Smoking: no special segregation or special ventilation equipment
- Ventilated: non-defined areas, but special ventilation equipment used to improve the comfort of non-smokers
- Designated areas: with spaces clearly defined for smoking and non-smoking
- Separated: smoking and non-smoking areas separated by walls
- Non-smoking: no smoking allowed at any time
By 2003, a survey of businesses in the Scottish leisure industry found that 61% had some form of non-smoking provision (up from 39% in 2000) and 34% had a written smoking policy (up from 25% in 2000).
However, in Scotland it is estimated that 7 out of 10 pubs still allow smoking throughout their premises.
Current Liquor Licensing arrangements may impose restrictions on smoking in certain circumstances, for example in areas where children have access.