Smoke-free air is good for health and good for business. Smoke-free outdoor dining is of value to restaurant patrons, but it will truly benefit hospitality staff.
A new study from the University of Georgia found that those exposed to outdoor tobacco smoke for periods of 6 hours or more were found to have up to 162 times the amount of cotinine in their bloodstream. Cotinine is what remains in the bloodstream after nicotine from tobacco smoke is metabolized and it is used as an indicator for exposure to tobacco smoke.
Although normally restaurant patrons don't have 6-hour long lunches or dinners, this is the typical shift for a waiter or waitress. Reducing or eliminating the exposure at work can mean less sick time used by staff and therefore less expense to the owner of the restaurant.
Smoke-free patios will protect workers' health building upon the 1995 indoor smoking ban in California's bars and restaurants.
Recently, Los Angeles became the nation's biggest city with a smoke-free outdoor dining policy effective on March 8, 2011. Los Angeles isn't alone in their efforts to protect diners and employees from the dangerous effects of secondhand smoke.
Currently, 85 municipalities in the State of California, including Solana Beach, Del Mar, Encinitas, National City, Chula Vista and El Cajon have regulations on smoking in or near outdoor dining patios. Smoke-free outdoor dining is a trend sweeping the state and the world!
In California, where smoking rates are only about 13 percent, it makes sense to offer healthy and family friendly environments for the remaining 87 percent of Californians that do not smoke.
A Stanford University study found that someone sitting near a smoking patron in an outdoor patio setting can be facing the same amount of exposure as sitting next to someone who smokes indoors.
With all the harmful effects of secondhand smoke, including exposure to more than 50 cancer causing chemicals, the less time spent breathing toxic air, the better. The good news is that going smoke-free is one of the simplest steps you can take to actually reduce business costs, make your customers happier and improve employee health and productivity.
All you have to do is remove those ashtrays and post a sign designating your business as a smoke-free establishment and support local efforts to ban smoking on outdoor dining patios.
If you are interested in going smoke-free on your dining patio or interested in smoke free issues, please contact Dannah Hosford, Vista Community Clinic Project Coordinator of the Tobacco Control Programs at 760-631-5000 ext. 7166 or email: [email protected]
A new study from the University of Georgia found that those exposed to outdoor tobacco smoke for periods of 6 hours or more were found to have up to 162 times the amount of cotinine in their bloodstream. Cotinine is what remains in the bloodstream after nicotine from tobacco smoke is metabolized and it is used as an indicator for exposure to tobacco smoke.
Although normally restaurant patrons don't have 6-hour long lunches or dinners, this is the typical shift for a waiter or waitress. Reducing or eliminating the exposure at work can mean less sick time used by staff and therefore less expense to the owner of the restaurant.
Smoke-free patios will protect workers' health building upon the 1995 indoor smoking ban in California's bars and restaurants.
Recently, Los Angeles became the nation's biggest city with a smoke-free outdoor dining policy effective on March 8, 2011. Los Angeles isn't alone in their efforts to protect diners and employees from the dangerous effects of secondhand smoke.
Currently, 85 municipalities in the State of California, including Solana Beach, Del Mar, Encinitas, National City, Chula Vista and El Cajon have regulations on smoking in or near outdoor dining patios. Smoke-free outdoor dining is a trend sweeping the state and the world!
In California, where smoking rates are only about 13 percent, it makes sense to offer healthy and family friendly environments for the remaining 87 percent of Californians that do not smoke.
A Stanford University study found that someone sitting near a smoking patron in an outdoor patio setting can be facing the same amount of exposure as sitting next to someone who smokes indoors.
With all the harmful effects of secondhand smoke, including exposure to more than 50 cancer causing chemicals, the less time spent breathing toxic air, the better. The good news is that going smoke-free is one of the simplest steps you can take to actually reduce business costs, make your customers happier and improve employee health and productivity.
All you have to do is remove those ashtrays and post a sign designating your business as a smoke-free establishment and support local efforts to ban smoking on outdoor dining patios.
If you are interested in going smoke-free on your dining patio or interested in smoke free issues, please contact Dannah Hosford, Vista Community Clinic Project Coordinator of the Tobacco Control Programs at 760-631-5000 ext. 7166 or email: [email protected]