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Secondhand Smoke
Exposure to Second Hand Smoke in a health risk to all of us, and particularly to infants and small children.
The latest Surgeon General's report concludes that:
1. Secondhand smoke causes premature death and disease in children and in adults who do not smoke.
2. Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk for sudden infant deathand more severe asthma. Smoking by parents causes respiratory symptoms and slows lung growth in their children.
3. Exposure of adults to secondhand smoke has immediate adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and causes coronary heart disease and
lung cancer.
4. The scientific evidence indicates that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
5. Many millions of Americans, both children and adults, are still exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes and workplaces despite substantial
progress in tobacco control.
6. Eliminating smoking in indoor spaces fully protects nonsmokers from exposure to secondhand smoke. Separating smokers from nonsmokers, cleaning the air, and ventilating buildings cannot eliminate exposures of nonsmokers to secondhand
smoke.
Smoking in the workplace
Given the dramatic health risks associated with second hand smoke, smoking has been banned in the workplace, including bars and restaurants in 14 states, Peurto Rico and Washington D.C.
States and territories that have banned smoking in
offices, bars, and restaurants
California |
New Jersey |
Colorado |
New York |
Connecticut |
Puerto Rico |
Delaware |
Rhode Island |
Hawaii
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Vermont |
Maine |
Utah |
Massachusetts |
Washington |
Montana |
Washington D.C. |
Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, North Dakota, and Louisiana
have smoke-free offices and restaurants; and South Dakota and
Maryland, smoke-free offices.
Proven associations of passive smoking affecting
children
Increased incidence of obstetric complications
Reduced birth weight
Reduced head circumference at birth
Increased incidence of SIDS
Increased incidence of meningococcal infections
Increased incidence of acute lower airway infections (birth
to three years)
Increased incidence of middle ear disease
Increased incidence of wheezing (birth to five years)
More frequent respiratory symptoms (five to sixteen
years)
Persisting reduced lung function
Evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case-control
analytical studies, preferably from more than one center or research
group. From the Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking, 2001.
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