Most Czechs want to ban smoking in all restaurants

The students were also assessing the negative impact of passive smoking, especially on blood vessels, of the restaurant personnel, which was proved in 23 out of 25 cases. They had too high levels of carbon monoxide (CO) in the exhaled breath.

Two-thirds of no-smokers and one-third of smokers would like to ban smoking in restaurants, according to the poll conducted on 830 clients of Prague restaurants and bars.

The medical students' poll also focused on public awareness of the smoking negative effects.

Most smokers were aware of the fact that smoking can cause lung cancer, erectile dysfunction and heart attack.

However, some of them rejected the strict opinion that smoking was the only cause of these health troubles, and said it was one just of the factors, said Eva Janusova, one of the pollsters.

The students of medicine were also measuring the impact of passive smoking on the employees of restaurants where smoking is allowed.

They measured the carbon monoxide level in the air they exhaled.

Out of 25 employees only two, one smoker and the other no-smoker, had the CO-level within the standard limits.

The negative impact of passive smoking on human health has been clearly proved.

Passive smoking basically provokes the same illnesses as active smoking, but to a lower extent, with the exception of damage to blood vessels. Changes in vessels were detected after a mere one hour stay in a smoky room.

Consequently, it has been clearly proved that passive smoking causes illnesses and premature death.

Autor: ČTK
www.ctk.cz