BMC Public Health 2006, 6:42 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/6/42 FBoigxuprleot2s of fine particle levels by category of pub in µg/m3 Box plots of fine particle levels by category of pub in µg/m3. noted above, the lack of sampling on Saturday nights means that we may have missed periods when air quality is poorest. The very high levels of over 1000 µg/m3 seen in four pubs in our sample show how poor air quality can be in the smokiest venues. Conclusion In conclusion, we found high levels of fine particles in 64 pubs from across the north west of England. Air quality was poorest in pubs situated in more deprived areas. Most (86%) pubs in the sampling frame from the four study areas were in IMD deprivation quintiles 3 to 5, and 71% were in quintiles 4 or 5. The equivalent figures were 82% and 65% respectively in North West pubs from 15 Local Authority areas [8]. This suggests that the higher levels of SHS will be found in most pubs in the North West. Fur- thermore, the North West survey found that pubs which don't serve food, which will be exempt from the English Public Health White Paper smokefree legislation, will be concentrated in deprived areas [8]. Therefore, this study adds to the evidence that the UK government's proposals for partial smokefree legislation in the UK would offer the least protection to the most heavily exposed group – bar workers and customers in non food-serving pubs in deprived areas. This finding, together with the evidence that smokefree public places and workplaces are effective policies for reducing overall smoking prevalence, [16] suggest that the proposals for partial smokefree legislation are contrary to the UK government's stated aim to reduce health inequalities. Competing interests No specific funding was allocated to this study. Richard Edwards was unpaid chair of NW ASH and Claire Probert Page 5 of 6 (page number not for citation purposes)