Ventilation

1. A 1986 report by the U.S. Surgeon General concluded that “the simple separation of smokers and nonsmokers within the same airspace may reduce, but does not eliminate, the exposure of nonsmokers to ETS.” (U.S. Surgeon General. The Health Consequences of Involuntary Smoking. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1986)
2. The tobacco industry continues to promote ventilation standards developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) as an adequate method for controlling exposure to secondhand smoke. However, ASHRAE acknowledges that “with respect to tobacco smoke and other contaminants, this standard does not, and cannot, ensure the avoidance of all possible adverse health effects.” Furthermore, workers (including waiters and waitresses) should not be required to enter the separately ventilated smoking area to perform work duties. (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. ASHRAE Standard 62-1989:Ventilation of Acceptable Indoor Air Quality, revised. Atlanta, GA: ASHRAE 1990)
3. Don’t be fooled by phrases like “reduces irritants” or “receives high ratings of personnel satisfaction.” Ventilation systems can remove the odor and smell of tobacco smoke and yet not adequately eliminate the actual toxins contained in tobacco smoke.
4. Although minimum standards have been set for ventilation systems, this standard is based on tobacco smoke odor and not health standard limitations. Basically, a ventilation system can reduce, but not eliminate exposure to tobacco smoke. Businesses will still face liability and health issues under such a policy option.