SECONDHAND SMOKE-3

SECONDHAND SMOKE

The Surgeon General's report: Secondhand smoke kills people who don't smoke, and makes others sick

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), also known as secondhand smoke, has also been shown to increase the risk of lung cancer. The 2006 Surgeon General's report on secondhand smoke stated that:

• Many millions of Americans, both children and adults, are still exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes and workplaces, even though there has been a great deal of progress in tobacco control.

• Secondhand smoke causes premature death and disease in children and adults who do not smoke.

• Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), respiratory infections, ear problems, and more severe asthma. Smoking by parents causes breathing (respiratory) symptoms and slows lung growth in their children.

• Secondhand smoke immediately affects the heart and blood circulation in a harmful way. Over a longer time it also causes heart disease and lung cancer.

• The scientific evidence shows there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.

• The only way to fully protect non-smokers from exposure to secondhand smoke indoors is to prevent all smoking in that indoor space or building. Separating smokers from non-smokers, cleaning the air, and ventilating buildings cannot keep non-smokers from being exposed to secondhand smoke.