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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008 |
CONTACT Cara Harshberger |
Colorado Casinos Safer After Smoke-Free Law: Research Shows Air Quality Improvement in Casinos’ First Smoke-Free MonthDENVER - On Jan. 1, 2008, Colorado casinos went smoke-free, and already the significant health impacts felt by casino employees and guests can be measured. A recent study by the State Tobacco Education & Prevention Partnership, which is based at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, found that air pollution in casinos has improved by 92 percent since the casinos became smoke-free under the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act last month. Before Colorado casinos went smoke-free, casino employees and patrons were exposed to an “unhealthy” level of indoor air pollution according to EPA ratings, meaning that everyone in the venue could experience harmful health effects from secondhand smoke. Some establishments monitored in the study showed indoor air pollutant levels to be twice as harmful as the worst outdoor air quality measurements detected in Denver by the Regional Air Quality Council. With the improvement in air quality over the last month, casinos now have an EPA rating of “good,” joining Colorado restaurants and bars that also saw vast improvements after the smoke-free law’s implementation. “This study confirms how quickly and effectively the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act can help protect the health of workers and customers,” said Dr. Ned Calonge, chief medical officer of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “We know that secondhand smoke causes about 53,000 deaths a year in the United States. With the smoke-free law and the help of Colorado’s casinos, we are working to decrease the number of such deaths in our state.” The effects of secondhand smoke no longer are in doubt. In 2006, the Surgeon General issued a report that concludes there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke and that only eliminating smoking in indoor places protects nonsmokers from exposure. The Colorado study was prepared in January 2008 by the Tobacco Program Evaluation Group. To complete the study, researchers used the TSI SidePak AM510 Personal Aerosol Monitor, which measures the level of respirable suspended particles in the air. It collects an air sample every second and then calculates the average pollution level per minute. On July 1, 2006, Colorado became the 13th state to enact a smoke-free law. To date, 22 other states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico have passed similar ordinances that enable their citizens to live and work in healthy environments, free from the effects of secondhand smoke. Currently, only one in six Colorado adults smoke, and only 15 percent of women in Colorado smoke. Colorado now ranks 9th in the nation for the lowest prevalence of adult smoking. ABOUT STEPP The State Tobacco Education & Prevention Partnership (STEPP) leads Colorado’s fight against tobacco caused death, disease and economic burden by mobilizing organizations and individuals to work together to support tobacco-free lifestyles and environments. STEPP and its partners provide programs and policies that are comprehensive, evidence-based, culturally appropriate and cost effective in achieving its goals. The Tobacco Program Evaluation Group is funded by STEPP to conduct research with funds from the 2004 state tobacco tax. ---30--- |
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