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Graph That Shows It's Worse to Pass a Smoker on the Street Than a Car

Posted on: Tuesday, 17 January 2006, 18:00 CST

By MARK PRIGG

WALKING past a smoker can expose you to twice as much pollution as passing a car or bus, experts said today.

Scientists claim the discovery could have major implications for antismoking legislation.

Professor Roy Colville of Imperial College, who led the research, said: "We expected pollution levels to be high but what really surprised us is how localised pollution is.

"Passing a smoker can cause a huge rise in the levels - in some cases worse than standing behind a bus."

The researchers argue that sending smokers outside could add to the problem of air pollution.

Professor Colville said: "It could be that we need to move smokers indoors, as having them huddled outside pubs and restaurants could cause a big problem. Perhaps indoor smoking rooms are the answer."

Today, antismoking campaigners welcomed the research but urged people to be practical.

Amanda Sandford of Ash said: "For people with asthma it is definitely worth moving away from smokers. But people shouldn't get paranoid about passing someone smoking, you need to exercise common sense."

The researchers also created the first second-by-second "pollution map" of an average commuter's journey across London. They found driving in a taxi exposed commuters to the most pollution, while walking was safest.

Source: Evening Standard; London (UK)

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