Threat from endotoxins prompts call for curbs on indoor smoking

New research from Sweden has shown that smokers puff clouds of poison in to the air which can seriously affect the breathing around them. The discovery has prompted ASH to urge the government to ban indoor smoking in workplaces.

Swedish scientists found that endotoxins, which are made by bacteria and occur naturally in the air, are produced by tobacco smoke in high concentrations. Tobacco is known to contain over 4,000 chemicals, including 50 substances known to cause cancer.

Low concentrations of endotoxins are not harmful and may even play a role in protecting people against allergies. However, in high concentrations, endotoxins can cause serious inflammatory reactions in the respiratory tract, leading to bronchitis and asthma.

The researchers also concluded that tobacco endotoxins appeared to be the most aggressive among the various types that exist. ASH spokeswoman Amanda Sandford noted that the research could lead to a greater understanding of how tobacco smoke can trigger respiratory diseases such as asthma: "There are lots of sources of pollution we don't have much control over, but we can control tobacco smoke in enclosed areas," she said.

She added that the study reinforced the need for a ban on smoking ban on indoor places.

Source: Morning Star, Times, 23 August, 2004