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The Journey Ahead Smokers and Non-Smokers on Public Transport

The Journey Ahead INTRODUCTION Although there has been much publicity around the world about the effects of tobacco smoke on the quality of air in indoor areas, scientists do not agree about its impact on indoor air quality. Environmental tobacco smoke, or ETS for short, is a mixture of sidestream and exhaled mainstream smoke. Sidestream smoke is wisps of smoke from the burning end of the cigarette, cigar or pipe. Immediately after sidestream and exhaled mainstream smoke are released into an indoor environment, they become greatIy diluted and dispersed. As they do, they, change both~ quantitatively and qualitatively. ETS becomes quite distinct I from either mainstream or sidestream smoke. A significant proportion of adults smoke, so on any form of public transport a large number of passengers are likely to be smokers. The Air We Breathe Seeing Smoke ETS is one of very few constituents of air that can be easily seen and smelt. However, even where ETS is absent because smoking is banned, air quality problems often exist. EVERYONE TRAVELS It may be the bus to the shops, the train to work, the ferry, a taxi ride across town, or a plane - but we all travel for business or pleasure. (Air travel is covered~ in a separate guide: Up and Away - Smokers and Non-Smokers on Air Travel.) The transport sector has used common sense solutions to differences of opinion about where smoking should be allowed. Both smoking and non-smoking passengers have been accommodated by the provision of designated areas in train, buses and coaches. Most travellers seem to be happy with arrangements like these. Public opinion surveys around the world consistently report that most people The Things You Can't See Indoor air contains significant quantities of many invisible gases from~a number of sources: carbon dioxide from people breathing out; nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide from vehicle exhaust, cookers and heaters; and formaldehyde and other gases from furnishings, carpets and insulation materials. In addition to gases, indoor air can contain minute particles of household dust and dust mites; fibres from clothing, carpets, insulation or furnishings; bacteria; and the spores from various fungi. Other indoor air constituents may include vapours from cleaning products, insecticides and photocopying fluid, to name but a few. Any of these, in sufficient quantities, can make people feel unwell. The Scientists Disagree Many scientists have studied ETS and have arrived~ at varying conclusions, as demonstrated in our scientific guides. ETS is a complex subject,, and scientific bias can occur, such as failure to consider important life-style factors other than exposure to ETS, or through combining uncertain results from a number of studies to reach "definitive" conclusions. The simple fact is that scientists don't agree among themselves that ETS affects the health of non-smokers. - including non-smokers - support the provision of smoking and non-smoking areas, and do not want bans: Accommodating Everyone Discriminating against smokers - rather than making sensible, practical arrangements to suit everyone - risks alienating a large proportion of potential passengers. Travellers who smoke may choose to switch to other carriers which accommodate both smokers and non-smokers. Some people do find smoking a genuine annoyance. Not all of us like the Page 1

I The Journey Ahead personal habits of those around us. Many things are annoying to travellers: departure delays, overcrowding, noisy fellow passengers and crying children, to name a few. And on: any sort of transport, the passenger next to you might have a heavy cold!' It would be silly and impractical to attempt to ban all: of life's annoyances. Travel' And Stress Travel can also involve a lot of delays. This adds to potential stress and boredom and can mean long periods waiting inn terminal buildings. Smoking in terminals, like smoking on trains, planes and buses, has come under attack in many parts of the world. And yet there is no reason why coach and railway stat~ions~ should not provide for both smokers and non-smokers. Travelling can~ be stressful so it is particularly important that concerns about ETS should not introduce more difficulties. People who smoke should not be forced~to stop only because they are travelling, ETS And Indoor Air Quality. Most trains and coaches are air-conditioned and, of course, it is essentiali that this air-conditioning works effectively. If it does not, air quality problems will arise. Indoor air quality has been~ measured by scientists in various forms of public transport, and amounts of ETS detected have consistently been very low, particularly when compared te other major contributors to indoor air quality such as engine exhaust. A study of the air quality in London Underground trains before and after a ban on smoking reported some interesting data: The highest level of nicotine recorded in smoking compartments just after the "rush-hour"' was one-sixth of the maximum threshold limit as recommended by the U.S. Ocupational Safety and Health Administration. Typically, levels inside the smoking compartment were one-tenth of the maximum threshold limit. Even inn enclosed spaces1ke these, measurements of ETS indicate that it is an insignificant factor in indoor air quality. Other Factors In Indoor Air Quality Other factors such as exhaust fumes on a bus or train can be major pollutants. High levels of microbes,, which are common causes of illnesses and allergies, can be inttroduced! by passengers themselves. If passengers do complain about smoke or smells, the first step should be to check the ventilation. The solution may be to ensure a good supply of fresh air. Page 2

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