Secondhand Smoke

Research

Professor studies costs of secondhand smoke exposure on children
A researcher at the University of Maine has identified and quantified the effects of secondhand smoke exposure on Maine’s children. In a recent study, Dr. Mary Davis estimated that children who are exposed to secondhand smoke in a variety of environments generate between $8 and $11.5 million a year in medical expenses. Moreover, she found that secondhand smoke exposure results in a plethora of respiratory illnesses, as well as ear infections, tooth decay and compromised neurological development. She also estimated that between 6 and 12 percent of childhood illnesses are attributable to secondhand smoke, while the estimate for low-income children rises to between 10 and 21 percent. Click here to read more.

Mother’s smoking is to blame for up to 90% of cot deaths
A recent study provides evidence that smoking during pregnancy is a primary cause of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Researchers from Bristol University’s Institute of Child Life and Health reviewed 21 international studies on smoking and SIDS to help elucidate the relationship. Primary results indicate that smoking accounts for nearly 90 percent of recent SIDS-related deaths.  Moreover, if parents stopped smoking completely, researchers estimate that 60% of SIDS deaths would be prevented. Click here to read more about the recently published research.

UC study uncovers tobacco industry efforts to undermine secondhand smoke link to cardiovascular disease
A recent study at the University of California, San Francisco reveals how the tobacco industry has worked to challenge and undercut the association between secondhand smoke exposure and heart disease. Researchers analyzed approximately 50 million pages of tobacco industry documents to uncover the strategies utilized by tobacco companies. One of the primary strategies they found was funding research that would help bolster the argument that secondhand smoke exposure poses minimal risk to humans. Another strategy was funding research to support the development of “reduced risk” cigarettes. Click here to read more about the study, which was recently published in Circulation.

Major study reveals levels of carbon monoxide pollution across Europe
A new European Union (EU) study provides additional evidence to support the link between exposure to secondhand smoke and carbon monoxide pollution in both smokers and non-smokers. The HELP-COMETS (Carbon monOxide Measure of Exposure to Tobacco Smoke) study included over 100,000 smokers and non-smokers from the EU’s 27 member states, and the outcome of interest was the amount of exhaled carbon monoxide (CO). Primary results indicate that smokers exhaled an average CO concentration of 17.5 ppm, which is double the maximum ambient air concentration tolerated in European cities. The average for non-smokers was 3.9 ppm, although this figure was higher in countries with a greater number of smokers. Finally, countries with strong tobacco smoking regulations had less than half the average CO concentration (2.5 ppm) than countries without smoking bans (5.2 ppm).  Click here to read more. 

UK: Secondhand smoke exposure down 95%
New research reveals that secondhand smoke in bars, pubs, and restaurants has fallen by 95% since the implementation of the smoking ban in the United Kingdom. A recent study of air quality in 40 establishments across the country has demonstrated that non-smoking hospitality workers had less than a quarter of the amount of cotinine in their saliva in August than they had in June. To read more about the research, conducted by the Tobacco Control Collaborating Centre in Warwick, click here.

A Case for Smoke Free Housing
The Asthma Regional Council of New England has released a new report that creates guidelines designed to restrict smoking in multi-unit housing complexes. Although the report is specifically designed for Massachusetts, the Council is advocating the development of smokefree policies in all of the New England states. The report, entitled “A Case for Smoke Free Housing,” includes an overview of the secondhand smoke problem, reasons to support smokefree housing policies, and considerations, advice and strategies for developing and implementing such policies. To access the report, click here.

"Sabemos: Por respeto—Aquí no se fuma: Community Outreach Tool Kit”
The Office on Smoking and Health (OSH) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has created an English-Spanish-language communications kit designed to promote awareness of current positive social norms about protecting indoor spaces from secondhand smoke among Hispanics/Latinos. The bilingual kit includes a cultural overview of the Hispanic/Latino population, tips for expanding the reach of anti-tobacco messages, steps to create smokefree environments, and other materials to assist in the development of media campaigns. To access the kit, click here.

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