Despite increasingly growth in waterpipe smoking in Tehran, so far no study has been conducted on the air quality of the waterpipe and cigarette cafés. Thirty-six cafés were selected and the concentration of three pollutants including formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and nicotine were measured in both indoor and outdoor air of cafés two times (week-day and weekend’s session). Air sampling was performed for 180 min for each pollutant. It was observed that the concentration of pollutants inside the cafés was higher during weekend session (with a higher number of “active waterpipe heads”) compared with findings during the week-day sessions. Furthermore, the concentration of pollutants in the indoor air of the cafés was significantly higher than that of the outdoors (p < 0.05). According to path analysis, the number of “active waterpipe heads” had the maximum impact on generation of pollutants inside the cafés, followed by the type of tobacco as the second influential factor. The average of lifetime cancer risk (LTCR) resulted by formaldehyde exposure through inhalation in waterpipe (WS), cigarette (CS), waterpipe and cigarette (WCS) and none-smoking (NS) cafés in week-day and weekend sessions were estimated to be 111 × 10 −5 and 61.2 × 10 −5 , 33.7 × 10 −5 and 39.4 × 10 −5 , 271 × 10 −5 and 322 × 10 −5 , and 4.80 × 10 −5 and 5.90 × 10 −5 , respectively, which exceed the limit value by the U.S.EPA and WHO. The concentration of pollutants in the indoor air of smoking cafés in Tehran is significantly high, such that it can pose serious risks for the health of both personnel and customers. Therefore, decision makers are expected to enact applicable and strict policies so as to abate this public health risk.

Samples of PM 2.5 particulates were collected from indoor air of 36 cafés, 14 cafés in which only water pipe (WS) was used, eight in which only cigarette was smoked (CC), six in which both waterpipe and cigarette were smoked (WCC), and eight cafés in which no smoking occurred (SFC) in Tehran. After that, the concentration of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel(Ni), and chromium (Cr) was examined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) (GF 5000, Australia). The results indicated that the ƩMetal concentration (Mean ±SD) in WCC, WC, CC, and SFC cafés were 1118.5±50.42, 663.64±40.79, 425.57±17.55, and 79.02±5.13 ng/m3, respectively. The mean bioaccessibility of Pb, Cr, Ni, and Cd was obtained as 39.7, 31.4, 7.35, and 74.6%, respectively. The results of risk assessment indicated that exposure to heavy metals in the indoor air of smoking cafés of Tehran is considered high.

Background & objectives:The number of waterpipe cafes has considerably grown in Tehran and other cities of Iran. This increase has occurred due to a wrong belief that the use of hookahs is harmless and relatively safe. So, the aim of current study is to investigate the nicotine concentration in the indoor air of the waterpipe and cigarette cafés as well as the biological concentration of nicotine and cotinine in urine and blood samples of exposed people. Methods: The indoor samples were gathered from 36 cafés-14 Hookah cafes (HS), 8 cigarette cafes (CS), 6 both Hookah and cigarette cafes, and 8 non-smoking areas (NS)-Sampling was carried out in each café once during a working day and once on a holiday at weekends. After that, the concentration of nicotine was determined. Finally, the concentration of nicotine and cotinine was studied in blood and urine samples of exposed peoples. Results:The results of this study showed that the most nicotine production in cafes was in the form of "hookah and cigarette cafes"> "hookah cafes"> "cigarette cafes"> "places without smoking", respectively. Also, it was observed that the concentration of nicotine in cafes during weekend sessions (with more active smokers) was higher than during the week sessions. Based on path analysis, the number of "active smokers" had the highest effect on releasing of nicotine inside the cafés, followed by the tobacco-type as the second influential parameter. Finally, it was observed that the highest amounts of nicotine and cotinine were found in blood and urine samples of smokers who were also employed in these cafes. Conclusion:The most important point was that in all studied cafes where tobacco was consumed, the measurable concentrations of nicotine in the air and also nicotine and cotinine in the blood and urine samples of exposed people were found. This shows that there is an urgent need for formal evaluation to see whether these findings are compatible with the Iranian national law regarding banning of tobacco use in public places.

Background: Although tobacco consumption in Iran has decreased in recent years, in 2010, the exposure to cigarette smoke was the fifth leading risk factor for death in Iran. This article is presenting the protocol for the prevention against tobacco dependence (PAD) project, an initiative planned and implemented by the Iranian Anti-Tobacco Association (IATA) of Iran in the city of Varamin. Study design: A prospective cohort study. Methods: This project is carried out based on a participatory community-oriented approach and an action research method. It includes four inter-related, prospective studies phases; pilot, tobacco-free school (TFS), tobacco-free neighborhood (TFN), and tobacco-free city (TFS). The measuring tools for each phase were designed primarily using CDC and WHO guidelines and preliminary details were identified. Each phase is a combination of different methods (including systematic observation, questionnaire, heuristic interview, and structured interview). The studies will examine twelve goals and meet 9 project objectives in a comprehensive evaluation of ongoing progress with TFS, TFN, and TFC. Discussion: This project seeks to achieve indicators of tobacco-free schools, neighborhoods, and cities through direct and indirect education of all the target groups in the community. Participation of stakeholders and supporters in problem-solving can increase the effectiveness and influence of the project. The outcomes of the first two phases will be expanded to the wider settings.