Smoke ban sees Scottish bar staff ‘breathe easy’
16 February 2009

Both smokers and non-smokers have experienced health benefits as a result of the smoking ban in Scotland, a study of bar workers has suggested.

The research, funded by NHS Health Scotland and the Scottish Government, followed 190 bar staff at more than 70 pubs during a 12-month period.

Researchers found the percentage of all workers reporting respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing, shortness of breath, cough and phlegm production, fell from 69% to 57%.

Additionally, in smokers, the number reporting wheezing fell from 48% immediately before the ban to 31% a year later. Reports of irritated eyes fell from 35% to 25% in the same period.

Dr Sean Semple, project manager of the Bar Workers’ Health and Environment Tobacco Smoke Exposure (BHETSE) study, said the research proved the benefits of the smoking ban.

The Aberdeen University lecturer said: ‘These findings confirm that the air quality in pubs can have an impact on respiratory health and the Scottish smoke-free legislation has resulted in improvements in the respiratory health for the majority of bar workers, smokers and non-smokers alike.’

Gordon Brown, Asthma UK Scotland’s Public Affairs & Communications Manager, said: ‘This is good news, particularly for people with asthma in Scotland, 82% of whom have told us that cigarette smoke can make their symptoms worse.

‘In addition, if you smoke and have asthma you are increasing your risk of an asthma attack. You could also be permanently damaging your airways and be blocking the benefit of your asthma medicines.’