Cig smoke in night spots far exceeds WHO acceptable level

There are other threats to life in karaoke bars aside from singing My Way the wrong way. A recent Department of Health research study has determined that entertainment venues such as these popular night spots pose a high health risk because of the thick cloud of cigarette smoke that often shrouds the singers. Using special instruments for measuring indoor air pollution, a team led by researcher Rene Timbang found that karaoke and music bars that still permit smoking expose their customers, after just 30 minutes, to six times the daily acceptable level of tobacco toxins set by the World Health Organization (WHO). “Most of the customers are smokers," Timbang says. But he stressed that non-smoking customers are exposed to the same health risks by inhaling the second-hand smoke from the smokers. Waiters and waitresses are particularly susceptible because they are constantly exposed. Total smoking ban in indoor public places In light of the toxic exposure to non-smokers even in places with designated smoking areas, Timbang is calling for a total ban on indoor smoking in public places. "Second-hand smoke from the smoking areas just pollutes the no-smoking areas," says Timbang, since few establishments fully enclose their smoking areas as required by law. Cigarette smoke has been found to contain over 50 chemicals that cause cancer. Nearly half of Filipino men and about one in ten Filipino women smoke. Timbang presented his findings this week at the Asia-Pacific Conference on Tobacco or Health in Sydney, Australia. His research team sought to detect levels of Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5), a form of air pollution not visible to the naked eye that is produced by cigarette smoke. They also found evidence of smoking inside school buildings and hospitals, which is also against the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003. The law bans smoking inside school and hospital premises, and requires entertainment venues to create fully enclosed smoking areas with clear signage. However, Timbang says that many night spots in Metro Manila violate it, either by not enclosing the space or ignoring the requirement altogether. Timbang says exceptions are bars and clubs in Makati and Davao, cities that strictly enforce policies on smoke-free zones. Patrons in Makati are required to step outside to smoke. At least, without the toxic exposure inside bars and clubs, customers just need to worry about their karaoke singing. – Howie Severino/JV, GMANews.TV