Second Hand Smoke

Research

Study tallies annual cost of second hand smoke
A study commissioned by insurance actuaries has found that the effects of secondhand smoke cost the U.S. economy nearly $10 billion a year. Researchers reviewed more than 200 studies to arrive at the estimate, which consists of direct medical costs of $5 billion per year and indirect costs, such as lost wages and costs related to disabilities, of approximately $4.7 billion. They concluded that the most common conditions among those exposed to secondhand smoke are SIDS, chronic pulmonary disease, asthma, and spontaneous abortion. Click to view the study.

CDC provides updated report on levels of secondhand smoke byproducts
The CDC reported in its CDC’s National Report on Exposure to Environmental Chemicals that levels of second hand smoke byproducts in the human body are significantly lower than they were two years ago. Researchers screened for 148 chemicals in over 2,400 subjects. They found that cotinine levels dropped by 75% in adult nonsmokers and by 68% in children, and believe that this decrease is a result of smoking restrictions. The study found several disparities, including that blacks have more than twice the cotinine levels of whites or Mexican-Americans and that children had levels that are two times that of nonsmoking adults. Click for the full report.

Second hand smoke causes as much damage to fetuses as maternal smoking
A recent study and review of previous research data indicate that exposure to second hand smoke can have the same effect on a fetus as maternal smoking. The research from the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public Health reports that both forms of smoke exposure cause identical genetic mutations at comparable increased rates. The genetic mutations affect survival, birth weight and susceptibility to disease. Click for the press release from the University of Pittsburgh.

Public support for smoke-free legislation on the rise
An annual Gallup poll of Americans demonstrated an increase in support of smoking bans over the past two years, with support for hotel bans rising from 25% to 34%, support for workplace bans rising from 36% to 41%, and support of restaurant bans moving from 45% to 54%. The original poll of Americans on smoking regulations, conducted in 1987, indicated as little as 10% public support for any smoking bans. Click for more information on the poll.

top

ASHRAE makes statement on ventilation system abilities
The American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has released a position document regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke. The professional organization recommends that designers educate product recipients on the benefits and limitations of HVAC systems on reducing exposure to second hand smoke and states that the best way to minimize exposure is by completely eliminating indoor smoking. In the document, four methods of controlling exposure are outlined: indoor smoking bans, smoking in only isolated rooms, smoking only in separate, but not isolated rooms, and mixed occupancy of rooms. Click for a copy of the document.

top

KFC and Pizza Hut ban smoking in restaurants nationally
Yum Brands, the holder of Kentucky Fried Chicken and Pizza Hut, has announced that all of their restaurants will be smoke-free establishments as soon as mid-August. The company operates 1,200 KFC and 1,675 Pizza Hut restaurants across the country. They are also encouraging their franchise owners to adopt the same policy for the nearly 4,200 franchised restaurants. Click for additional information.

Union Pacific Railroad prohibits smoking on property
The Union Pacific Railroad has increased its efforts to provide a healthy environment for their employees by banning smoking on all of their properties. Workers who violate the ban will be fined. In states where it is allowable, Union Pacific will not hire applicants who smoke. Click for additional information.

top

Florida:
 
Florida court orders payment to smoking neighbor
A Florida court awarded $1,000 in health damages to a Florida woman who sued her smoking neighbor. She sued on grounds of trespass, nuisance, and breach of covenant, claiming the second-hand smoke crept into her apartment and caused health problems for her and her family, even forcing them to sleep elsewhere. The decision could set a precedent for future cases. Click for additional information.

Kentucky:
 
Effect of smoking ban on nicotine levels among hospitality workers in Lexington, KY examined
Hair samples were analyzed to determine the nicotine levels in 106 hospitality workers in Lexington bars. Researchers measured nicotine content in hair before the ban and three months following the ban. For both smoking and non-smoking workers, the levels of second hand smoke components in their hair decreased significantly (on average by 50%) after the enactment of the city’s clean air act. Additionally, workers noted less illness. The study also compared indoor air pollution for Lexington (which has a ban) and Louisville (which at the time had no ban); they found Louisville’s levels to be 17 times higher. Click for more information on the study.

Maine:
 
Maine tenants to get help finding smoke-free housing
An initiative being launched by a Smoke-Free Housing Committee in Maine will soon make available to the public a website assisting residents in their search for smoke-free housing. The site will also provide resources to landlords to help increase the number of smoke-free apartments available. Click for additional information on this resource.

Massachusetts:
 
Boston couple evicted for excessive smoking
A couple, each with a pack a day smoking habit, was evicted from their apartment in Boston. The city’s housing court upheld a complaint from neighbors who reported the smoke seeping into their apartments was a nuisance, akin to excessive noise. Smoking was not prohibited by their lease, but disturbing the neighbors had been grounds for eviction in previous situations. The case is the first of its kind to be upheld in the U.S. and could set a precedent for others. Click for more information on the case.

Montana:
 
Blackfeet Tribe prohibits tobacco use in all public buildings
On July 21st, the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council passed a regulation making all indoor public areas on the reservation tobacco-free. The regulation, which prohibits use of smoking and chewing tobacco products, does not impede on the cultural and spiritual use of tobacco in Blackfeet ceremonies. The ban is a component of several tribal health initiatives devised to reduce tobacco use and the diseases it causes. Click for more information on the ban.

North Carolina:
 
North Carolina speedway to offer non-smoking section
Lowe's Motor Speedway in suburban Concord, NC announced it will offer a no-smoking, alcohol-free family section at the October 15th UAW-GM Quality 500 Nextel Cup race. The section, which will have more than 4,000 seats, is a result of fan requests to enjoy NASCAR in a smoke and alcohol free environment. Click for more information.

Washington:
 
New interactive map lists Washington smoke-free restaurants
The Washington Department of Health has launched a Web-based interactive map listing of smoke-free restaurants (including some bars and taverns) around the state. The online map lists more than 6,000 smoke-free establishments. All of the listed smoke-free restaurants in a county can be called up by clicking on the appropriate county icon on the map. The database is also searchable by restaurant name, city, zip code, or county. For more information, contact Scott Schoengarth at 360-236-3634 or scott.schoengarth@doh.wa.gov.

top

Back to Table of Contents