PASSIVE smoking has been linked to mental health problems for the first time by a scientific study that suggests those exposed to cigarette fumes are three times more likely to be admitted to psychiatric hospital than those free from nicotine exposure.
A study of more than 8,000 Scots also found that passive smokers were more likely to report depressive moods than non-smokers who steered clear of inhaling other people's cigarette smoke.
The research was conducted by scientists at University Co
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llege London, who examined a sample of 5,560 non-smoking adults and 2,595 smokers drawn from the Scottish Health Survey, a database representative of the general population.
Non-smokers were tested for second-hand smoke exposure by testing participants' saliva for cotinine –- a substance that acts as a marker that can reveal how much smoke a person has been exposed to.
Participants also filled out a questionnaire designed to measure mental health by examining happiness levels, experience of depressive and anxiety symptoms and sleep disturbance over four weeks.
The questionnaire revealed how many members of the sample had suffered "psychological distress" – an episode defined as a low mood that fell short of clinical depression but could develop into a more serious condition. Analysis of the data found that passive smokers were more likely to suffer "psychological distress" than those free from tobacco smoke.
In the non-smokers with very low levels of passive smoke exposure, the rate of psychological distress was nine per cent. Among the non-smokers who experienced high exposure, the rate was 14 per cent.
"We found quite a strong association between passive smoke exposure and poorer mental health," said Dr Mark Hamer, the head of research.
Sheila Duffy, chief executive of Ash Scotland, said:
"We have known about links between active smoking and mental health problems, but this new research suggests that second-hand smoke is even more harmful than we thought."
Sunday 13 June 2010
Greece to ban smoking in all indoor public places
Greece, a nation of heavy smokers, is to ban smoking in all indoor public places from 1 September because a partial ban enacted last July failed, the health minister, Marilisa Xenogiannakopoulou, said today.
Last year's ban was largely ignored because of exemptions for small bars and restaurants, complex rules and the failure to crack down on offenders, and Greeks routinely light up cigarettes in taxis, larger bars, or even at work.
"There were problems in the implementation of the law, there were grey areas and contradictions," the minister said.
"We had to bring in new legislation ... From 1 September 2010, Greece will fully ban [smoking] in all public places."
Casinos and bars bigger than 300 sq m will be given eight months to apply the law, she said.
More than 40% of Greeks smoke, making them the heaviest smokers in Europe, and nearly as many are exposed to smoking at work, according to a European Union poll.
Smoking-related diseases kill about 20,000 people a year, costing the country an annual €2.14bn (£1.8bn), the health ministry said last year.
Bar and restaurant owners had complained last year's law was too complicated and was hurting business.
Some restaurant owners who had originally implemented the law put ashtrays back on the table after losing customers.
The government will publish a draft bill in the coming days, Xenogiannakopoulou said.
Last year's ban, agreed under the previous, conservative administration, imposed fines of up to €500 on smokers who broke the law, while bars and restaurants risked losing their licence.
Smoking is also becoming more expensive in Greece.
The government agreed in talks with the EU and the IMF earlier this month to increase excise tax on cigarettes by 10% as part of austerity measures aimed at plugging the huge budget deficit.
Last year's ban was largely ignored because of exemptions for small bars and restaurants, complex rules and the failure to crack down on offenders, and Greeks routinely light up cigarettes in taxis, larger bars, or even at work.
"There were problems in the implementation of the law, there were grey areas and contradictions," the minister said.
"We had to bring in new legislation ... From 1 September 2010, Greece will fully ban [smoking] in all public places."
Casinos and bars bigger than 300 sq m will be given eight months to apply the law, she said.
More than 40% of Greeks smoke, making them the heaviest smokers in Europe, and nearly as many are exposed to smoking at work, according to a European Union poll.
Smoking-related diseases kill about 20,000 people a year, costing the country an annual €2.14bn (£1.8bn), the health ministry said last year.
Bar and restaurant owners had complained last year's law was too complicated and was hurting business.
Some restaurant owners who had originally implemented the law put ashtrays back on the table after losing customers.
The government will publish a draft bill in the coming days, Xenogiannakopoulou said.
Last year's ban, agreed under the previous, conservative administration, imposed fines of up to €500 on smokers who broke the law, while bars and restaurants risked losing their licence.
Smoking is also becoming more expensive in Greece.
The government agreed in talks with the EU and the IMF earlier this month to increase excise tax on cigarettes by 10% as part of austerity measures aimed at plugging the huge budget deficit.
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