Media Release

FOR: Immediate Release
DATE: October 4, 2005
CONTACT: Robert Marshall, PhD 222-2231

Seven-Month Progress Report on Smokefree Rhode Island; Particles in Air Down by 96%

Today, Rhode Island released the evaluation results of the smokefree public places and workplace law that went into effect on March 1, 2005. The Department of Health (HEALTH) arranged with the Harvard School of Public Health to train volunteers for a before-and-after test of air in a sample of 13 local establishments. Volunteers used a device to measure the fine respirable suspended particles (RSPs) that can cause serious health problems. RSPs can slip through the body’s natural filters and be inhaled deep into the lungs.

In Rhode Island, indoor air monitoring results from a sample of 13 establishments indicate that levels of RSPs decreased by 96% after the smokefree law went into effect. These findings are consistent with evaluations of similar smokefree workplace legislation in Boston, Washington, DC and Philadelphia.

“These results demonstrate that the new Rhode Island law all but eliminated secondhand smoke and dramatically improved indoor air quality,” said David Gifford, MD, MPH, Director of Health. “I applaud Governor Carcieri, former RI Health Director, Dr. Patricia A. Nolan, Majority Leader Fox and Senator Sosnowski, sponsors of the Smokefree Public Places and Workplaces Law, and the countless others who worked together to help make our state a healthier and safer environment for people to live, work and play.”

Secondhand smoke is a serious health threat -- especially to children, older adults and people with heart and lung conditions. There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Nonsmoking workers in a smoky work environment have a 16-19 percent increased risk of developing lung cancer, and higher rates of coronary deaths and other lung diseases.

The RI Department of Health encourages citizens to file a complaint when an establishment is not complying with the smokefree law. To learn more about how to file a complaint, call 401-222-3293 or go to: www.health.ri.gov