A new study shows Bowling Green patrons and workers are being exposed to harmful amounts of secound hand smoke.

The Smoke-Free Communities Coailition did a indoor air quality test in 11 local hospitality venues, including restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues.

The level of indoor air pollution was found to be 4.7 times higher than than the national air quality standard.

The study compares Bowling Green to other Kentucky cities that have gone smoke free.

"People don't realize how smoky it's really been and I guess from our stand point, we have many studies that demonstrate the positve effects that it makes on workers, if they smoke or not", explains Ellen Hahn, DNS, RN, UK Public Health Professor.

Ellen continues to explain that workin a six hour shift in a smokey environment is inquilvent to smoking a pack a day.

20 Kentucky communites have already gone smoke free. Bowling Green failed to pass it last year.