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The air cleared considerably at Fort Wayne hangouts after the city’s smoking ban went into effect in June, according to a study released Wednesday by smoking-cessation advocates.
The study, paid for by Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation, found that indoor air pollution – measured in fine particulate matter, like that found in smoke – dropped 94 percent after the local ordinance went into effect.
“The air is definitely cleaner in Fort Wayne … and the results couldn’t be more clear,” said Karla Sneegas, executive director of Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation, in a statement. “Workers who are protected by comprehensive smoke-free air ordinances, such as the one in Fort Wayne, are definitely safer and healthier.”
That the air was cleaner came as little surprise to proponents and opponents of the smoking ban. But debate continues on the merits of the ban and whether the government should regulate where people can smoke.
Research conducted through Buffalo, N.Y.-based Roswell Park Cancer Institute sampled air quality at 14 Fort Wayne restaurants, bars, bowling centers and pool halls in May and June. All of the venues – which weren’t notified they were being studied and weren’t subsequently named in the report – were found to be in compliance with the ban, though compliance has been an issue at some other establishments.
Before to the ban, workers were, on average, subjected to about 5 1/2 times the level of fine particulate matter considered safe by the EPA, said Miranda Spitznagle, director of program evaluation for the state’s tobacco prevention and cessation agency. Studies have shown that secondhand smoke is responsible for more than 50,000 deaths in the U.S. annually, most from heart disease.
Besides tobacco smoke, smoke from frying and cooking can contribute to fine particulate matter readings, though to a far lesser degree, officials said. Follow-up readings after the smoking ban was implemented June 1 showed the level of indoor air quality was within an acceptable range, comparable to outdoor levels.
Fort Wayne City Council President Tom Didier, R-3rd, considered the study’s findings a no-brainer.
“It’s pretty apparent (air is) going to be cleaner with no smoking,” he said.
But Didier – the sole council member to vote against the ban – still has reservations about government regulation of smoking.
Generally speaking, he thinks it should be the decision of private businesses whether to allow smoking. That sentiment has been echoed by other opponents of the ban, including bar owners who say it has driven away business.
“A lot of bars are struggling,” said Didier, a territory manager for U.S. Foodservice, which serves some local bars and restaurants. He said some restaurants have been negatively affected by the ban as well.
Still, he’s not sure whether the ban will change, even with some new council members pledging to revisit it. What’s more, he isn’t sure how he’d vote if an amendment were proposed. A provision allowing smoking in 21-and-older establishments could help some bars he works with while hurting other restaurant customers, he said.
“I do have a huge conflict of interest in this,” he said, adding that he might have to abstain from voting if such a change was proposed. He didn’t see a conflict of interest with his previous vote on the smoking ban because it affected businesses across the board, not just one type of business, such as bars, he said.
Whatever happens, Allen County commissioner Dr. Deborah McMahan and other health officials hope that the study’s findings of cleaner air are at least part of any future discourse on anti-smoking policy.
“I hope our city and county leaders will carefully consider these results before discussing any changes to the law.”
mschroeder@jg.net
