Air nicotine monitoring study at chennai, Tamil Nadu to assess the level of exposure to second hand smoke in public places

According to estimates for 2005, 22% of adults worldwide currently smoke tobacco. All monitors recorded detectable levels of air nicotine in restaurants and schools.In government buildings, hospitals, and entertainment venues, 96%, 94%, and 80% of air nicotine monitors, respectively, were above the detection limit.The highest median levels of air nicotine were found in restaurants [Table 2] and [Figure 1].Similar air nicotine concentrations were observed in entertainment venues, schools, hospitals, and government offices.Data limitations These air nicotine concentrations will underestimate actual exposure in buildings that are unoccupied for a portion of the day as air concentrations represent 24-h integrated exposure over a 5- or 7-day period.These data provide a 1-week snapshot generated from a small sample of buildings and, therefore do not represent indoor air concentrations for the whole city.Monitors were placed in locations where people tend to congregate, not necessarily where the majority of smoking is occurring.Possibility of interference by others with the monitoring equipment may results in biased results The finding of airborne nicotine in public places in Chennai provides a basis for enforcing smoke-free initiatives and for strengthening the protection of the public particularly children and workforce from unwanted exposure to secondhand smoke.