30.08.2012

Smoke-free workplaces improve the health of hospitality workers

The smoking ban in public places that was implemented in Switzerland in May 2010 improved the health of hospitality workers. This is the conclusion of a recent study from the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute that will be presented at the Swiss Public Health conference in Lausanne this week. Twelve months after implementation of smoke free work places, several indicators of cardio vascular health measurably improved.

The Cosibar (Cohort Study on Smoke-free Intervention in Bars and Restaurants) study measured heart rate variability and pulse wave velocity in hospitality workers before and twelve months after implementation of the smoking ban. Both indicators shed light on the risk of myocardial infarction and arteriosclerosis.
Before implementation of the smoking ban, wait staff were subject to high levels of passive smoking corresponding to the inhalation of five cigarettes per day. After implementation of smoke free work places, levels were, on average,16 times lower.

Clear improvement in cardiovascular health
The reduction in environmental tobacco smoke at the work place led to a measurable improvement in cardiovascular health. In hospitality workers that were no longer exposed to passive smoke, heart rate variability increased significantly. This is a measure of the body’s capability to adapt the heart rate as a result of physical stress. The higher adaptability in heart rate denotes a reduced risk in heart attacks. For waiters in smoking venues, this improvement could not be observed.

In smoke-free venues pulse wave velocity also improved significantly. This measure is an indicator of the elasticity of the blood vessel walls. The values show that the arteries of hospitality workers regained elasticity, suggesting a reduction in arteriosclerosis risk.

Contact:

- Prof. Dr. Martin Röösli, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, CH-4002 Basel, Tel. +41 61 284 83 88, E-Mail: martin.rooslianti spam bot@unibasanti spam bot.ch

- Sarah Rajkumar, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, CH-4002 Basel, Tel. +41 61 284 83 88, E-Mail: sarah.rajkumaranti spam bot@unibasanti spam bot.ch

 

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