Smoke-Free Bar Unmasks Hidden Odors: More Funk Than A Men's Room

New Research Uncovers the Stinky Truth about Bar Patrons' B.O.

(July 24, 2008) - As more cities around the world pass smoke-free legislation in their bars and restaurants, patrons are wrinkling their noses at an alarming truth: the smoke may have been masking equally offensive odors. Speculating that patrons themselves could be partly to blame for new, unpleasant smells, AXE, the male grooming brand and maker of all-over deodorant bodysprays, partnered with world-renowned scent scientist Alan Hirsch, M.D., to reveal what’s behind “bar funk.”

Through a series of scientific tests at a popular Chicago bar/restaurant, Dr. Hirsch discovered that while the odor of cigarette smoke is gone, equally offensive aromas that were previously hidden have surfaced. The tests also showed that bar patrons were a major cause of the stink. Sweat was one of the top odor contributors to the “bar funk” and in addition to armpit odor, smells from patrons’ backs, heads and abdomens were also potent. While these tests were conducted in only one bar, the results could shed light on why other smoke-free establishments are also experiencing “bar funk.”

KEY FOUL FINDINGS
Using scientific odor-gauging instruments, Hirsch performed two tests: 1.) “ambient odor concentration” test to quantify how bad the smoke-free bar smelled; and 2.) “head-space analysis” test on six randomly selected male patrons to locate the sources of their body odor.

With B.O. as a main contributor to the funk identified through Dr. Hirsch’s tests, AXE wants to help ease this sweaty epidemic by reminding guys that in addition to underarm deodorants, using an all-over deodorant bodyspray may help them stay fresh all night long and avoid contributing to the “bar funk.”

About Dr. Hirsch
Alan Hirsch, M.D., is a neurologist, psychiatrist and nationally recognized smell and taste expert. He is also the founder of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago.