THE VENTILATION MYTH.  The 1986 Surgeon General’s report on involuntary smoking was the first to conclude that the simple separation of smokers and nonsmokers does not protect nonsmokers from secondhand smoke. Research since then and just recently updated in a 2006 Surgeon General’s report has linked secondhand smoke to a number of illnesses and diseases including lung cancer and heart disease. In response the tobacco industry has advocated for ventilation technology as an alternative to smoke-free laws. Unfortunately, the ventilation solution is rife with shortcomings from being ineffective to being too costly.

Smoke-free policies remain the only measure to truly ensure that nonsmokers are adequately protected.

Nonsmoking areas are not “smoke-free.” In a study of 17 sites, there was only a 50% reduction in exposure to tobacco smoke in the nonsmoking areas compared to the smoking areas. Some nonsmoking areas provide no reduction in exposure to smoke.

Ventilation is ineffective. The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the national and international standard setting body for indoor air quality, adopted a position document that stated the only way to effectively eliminate health risks associated with secondhand smoke exposure is to ban smoking on site. No engineering approaches, dilution ventilation or air cleaning technologies, have demonstrated or should be relied upon to control health risks from secondhand smoke.

Ventilation makes air smell better, but not healthier. It would take tornado-like levels of wind and ventilation for bars and restaurants to adequately protect workers and patrons from secondhand smoke. Absent that, ventilation technology may help reduce the irritability and the smell of smoke, but does not eliminate the cancer-causing chemicals. Fact is: Smoke-free policies are the least expensive change for businesses to implement and for the city to enforce. Installation, maintenance, and remodeling costs associated with a proper ventilation system that includes an enclosed smoking area and outside exhaust may be cost prohibitive for many businesses.

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