Control of tobacco smoking in a hospital setting in Rome after a new decree law

Introduction: Decree Law (DL) No. 6 January 2016 transposes European Directive 2014/40 / EU and is aimed at ensuring a high level of protection from tobacco smoke, particularly with respect to young people. Methods: In 2016 in compliance with the limits set out by the smoke DL, S Camillo Hospital has placed at a distance of 10 meters from the hospital wards named in the legislation (main entrance, departments of pediatric emergency room, obstetrics and gynecology) indications on the ground with the warnings: SMOKING AREA LIMIT with the aim to reduce the fine particles, and compare the data recorded in the same locations in 2011 *. The measurements analyzed the levels of particulate matter (pM 2.5 and 10) in those areas. For monitoring we used the same devices: Aerocent GT 331 and GT 531 Metone Instruments. Results: In measurements obtained prior the warnings, the PM 2.5 concentrations were above 18 mg / m3 in 24 hours and exceeded the 10 mg / m3 established by WHO for good air quality. With the application of the warnings PM2.5 concentrations observed in 24 h were reduced to 0.7 mg / m3 (average data of all the monitors) Conclusion With the application of D.L.N ° January 6, 2016, our data show that the warnings should be considered is useful tool with a low cost / benefit ratio. * R.Principe, G. Paone, S. Damante, Implementation of smoking ban: a survey in a public hospital setting The European Journal of Public Health Advance Access published December 15, 2013