Ali Al-Bakri, Mohammed Jawad, Mustafa al’Absi, Pascale Salameh, Saba Kassim
Presenter(s)
Ali Al-Bakri Student, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Institute of Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London
Abstract
Introduction: The 2007 England smokefree law aims to protect employees and the public from the dangers of indoor secondhand tobacco smoke, however there is a paucity of data regarding the health of waterpipe premises employees.
Methods: Employees from three convenience-sampled, smokefree compliant waterpipe premises in London were opportunistically observed for occupational activities. Carbon monoxide (CO) levels were voluntarily sought using the piCO Smokerlyzer® Bedfont Scientific.
Results: Waterpipe premises employees were reluctant to divulge information on shift patterns and occupational activities. Employees always ignited waterpipes indoors, and some drew puffs prior to serving to customers, presumably for quality assurance. Nine employees, all non-cigarette smokers, provided CO readings. Six employees ignited and served waterpipe, and CO readings (COHb) readings ranged from 21ppm (4.0%) to 55ppm (9.4%). Three employees served food indoors, and CO readings ranged from 2ppm (0.8%) to 6ppm (1.6%).
Conclusions: Waterpipe premises employees are a hard-to-reach population group. The smokefree law does not appear to protect waterpipe premises employees who ignite and serve waterpipes. More research is needed to systematically assess the occupational health of waterpipe premises employees. Meanwhile, smokefree law should include ignition of smoked tobacco products as part of its indoor prohibition
