How to Measure Pollution from Waterpipe Smoking in Public Places

Audience:

This talk will benefit anyone involved with promoting, implementing or evaluating smokefree air policies intended to eliminate exposure to tobacco smoke pollution (TSP). It will have special relevance to those interested in the growing phenomenon of waterpipe smoking and want to see a way to measure the air pollution from this activity in public places.

Key Points: Accurate empirical data on exposure to TSP has been instrumental in demonstrating the need for smokefree air policies and evaluating their effectiveness. Particle pollution measurements using the TSI Sidepak Aerosol Monitor are one of the most commonly used methods to measure exposure to cigarette smoke. However, there was no previous validation of this instrument for measuring smoke from waterpipe (hookah). Through a series of controlled laboratory experiments we have determined and validated a calibration factor for the Sidepak when measuring waterpipe smoke (Mean 0.37, SD=0.09).

Educational Experience: The audience will see previous examples of how the Sidepak has been an effective tool for various stakeholders to collect real-world empirical data on cigarette smoke exposure to support and evaluate smokefree air policies. Next we will demonstrate that the Sidepak can now be used with confidence to similarly measure waterpipe smoke exposure.

Benefits: The audience will learn about an effective method for measuring exposure to TSP from various products including cigarettes and waterpipes. They will see how this empirical data can be an effective communication tool and they will discover readily available resources that will allow them to use this method of exposure measurement in their tobacco control efforts.