ZEMCH 2015 - International Conference Proceedings | Page 825

Another paper highlights the ambiguity of the e-cigarettes, trying to prove that it is rather difficult to have a certain opinion to whether or not e-cigarettes can be consumed for medicinal
purposes. During the last 7 years, the increase in the demand of e-cigarettes has left researchers
to test the harmful aspects of this new alternative to tobacco smoking. Bell and Keane (2012) conduct a rather interesting study that tries to pay attention to the two diverse points of view on the
e-cigarettes: one as a remedy to cure and one as an addictive product. The difficulty in proving/
verifying right one of these arguments lies in the reality that both are valid, depending on what
condition is it being compared to. Moreover, the United States (US)’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been having difficulties in classifying the e-cigarettes due to the ambiguity of
whether this product is for medicinal purposes or solely nicotine based smoking object, which is
addictive and harmful. Schober et al. (2014) carried out an experiment testing the health safety
factors for e-cigarettes for indoor environments. Similar to the previously discussed experiments,
airborne and biomarkers were tested for smokers of the two types of refills. Results showed that
the e-cigarettes with nicotine-free refills is as dangerous as the nicotine refills in terms of the
biomarkers, however, nicotine-free refills is less threatening in terms of airborne contaminants
compared to the nicotine refills. This however does not mean that it is free from any other types
of contaminants. This research served as a proof for policies for banning the use of e-cigarettes
indoor.
Fromme et al. (2009), previously having had conducted a research comparing the indoor air contaminants comparing waterpipes to cigarettes, later conduct a similar study drawing a bridge between e-cigarettes and waterpipes in their research, which is the other type of smoking practiced
globally, as it is another alternative to cigarettes, similar to the e-cigarettes. The research has not
only proven wrong the fact that waterpipe smokers believe that smoking this type is less dangerous than cigarettes, but has also proven that e-cigarettes are not as ineffective as it is promoted
to be. Waterpipes have extremely high levels of carbon monoxide and nicotine that risks a high
chance of the smoker being diagnosed with pulmonary or cardiovascular complications, which
could lead to cancer. In this case, the second hand smokers are highly affected as well, similar to
cigarette passive smokers. On the other hand, e-cigarettes are believed to be the safest amongst
the smoking aids and are effective to the human health as well. Waterpipe smokers exhale smoke
whereas e-cigarette smokers exhale vapor, which is more complicated to measure, as there are ultrafine particles emitted into the space. Nevertheless, the health factors are as serious as the other
smoking aids, as it can cause asthma for the active and passive smokers (Fromme and Schober
2014).
Waterpipes/Hookah/Narghile
Stemming from the Middle East and Northern African countries, the waterpipes have gained a
worldwide interest. Primarily, waterpipes were used by the older generation whenever they gathered to socialize, however nowadays its use has become epidemic among the youth generation
across the world. Waterpipes produces thirty times more carbon monoxide than that of cigarettes. An epidemic increase of waterpipe users amongst the youth has been an issue since the
past decade; 6% - 34% amongst the Middle Eastern youth and 5% - 17% amongst the American
youth. Similarly, there has been a demand for allowing for smoking inside the dining areas (Maziak 2011). A group of researchers from the American University of Beirut (AUB) conducted a study to
compare the indoor pollution factors of waterpipes with cigarettes. Their findings showed that an
hour of smoking the waterpipe is equivalent to 2 - 10 cigarettes depending on the intensity of the
waterpipe tobacco. As a result, the waterpipe produces thirty times more carbon monoxide than
that of a cigarette, and therefore, it is justified that there should be a ban on smoking waterpipes
indoors (Daher et al. 2009).

The impact of smoking on indoor air quality in hospitality venues

823