Problem/Objective: In a state limited by a preemptive law and stymied by a culture where tobacco once ruled, tobacco control advocates often find their message falling on deaf ears. A local health department decided to try a new tactic in moving tobacco-free policies forward—air quality monitoring.

Methods: Using the same model as Roswell Park, Mecklenburg County Health Department has used the air monitoring technology to monitor PM 2.5 (an accepted marker for SHS levels) in local restaurants, bars, bowling alleys, bingo halls, and the Charlotte Airport.

Results: The study conducted in restaurants, bars, and bowling alleys found similar results to studies done elsewhere. We found on average that air quality was 12 times worse in bars where smoking was allowed anywhere, and five times worse in restaurants with designated smoking areas. This study received a considerable amount of media attention which added considerable momentum to the local movement working towards smoke-free workplace legislation. The airport announced that they would adopt a tobacco-free policy in March, 2007. We are currently in the process of conducting a pre and post test of the airport air quality with hopes it will help affirm and sustain the policy change. The Health Department also visited some bingo halls, one that was smoke-free and two that were not. Results spurred an immediate voluntary change in one bingo hall's policy.

Conclusions: Using air monitoring technology can be a very effective way to gain earned media, build momentum, and to move both voluntary and public policies forward to protect people from secondhand smoke exposure.