Secondhand Smoke

Research

Effects of smoking in cars
In a recent study, researchers at Stanford University investigated changes in air quality in cars due to smoking in the vehicle. The researchers examined air exchange and changes in secondhand smoke in four different vehicles by releasing a tracer gas or utilizing a volunteer smoker. They measured smoke particulates less than 0.0001 inch in diameter, particulates that the EPA deems harmful to human health. For the first time researchers were able to demonstrate that the extent of air exchange in the vehicle determines the level of secondhand smoke in the car. For instance, an automobile with the windows shut and the air conditioner re-circulating air on maximum exposes passengers to the most particulate matter, while cracking one window with no air conditioning exposes passengers to the least secondhand smoke, although this level may still be harmful to human health. Click here to read more about the study, published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology.

Passive smoking increases sleep disturbance among pregnant women
Recent research has revealed that pregnant women exposed to passive smoking are more likely to experience a host of sleep disturbances in comparison to pregnant women not exposed to cigarette smoke. Researchers analyzed responses from two cross-sectional studies in 2002 and 2006, which involved 16,396 and 19,386 women respectively in Japan. They found that pregnant women who were exposed to passive smoke were more likely to report insufficient sleep, difficulty initiating sleep, short sleep duration and snoring loudly or breathing uncomfortably. Click here to read more about the research, which is published in the September 1 issue of SLEEP.

Smokers pollute casino air, study finds
A recent study commissioned by the American Lung Association (ALA) of Illinois found evidence of poor air quality inside a casino in East St. Louis, even though relatively few people were smoking. Researchers and ALA volunteers secretly measured levels of particulate matter during two three-hour visits to the Casino Queen in August. They observed that the average level of fine particulate matter in the air of the gaming floor was 16 times higher than outdoors, which would expose casino employees and patrons to levels of toxins that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers dangerous to health. That being said, the study also found that just over six percent of patrons were smoking. The release of study findings coincides with debate over whether Illinois casinos should be exempt from the statewide smoking ban, which will be implemented on January 1. To read more about the study, click here.

Smoke in Kentucky bars, restaurants is 10 times normal levels
A series of recent studies in Northern Kentucky bars has demonstrated that the air quality in these establishments is significantly worse than the air quality in similar locations where smoking is banned. North Kentucky ACTION, which consists of groups that have been lobbying for smokefree air laws for years, tested the air quality in 28 restaurants and bars in Kenton County. Primary results indicate that the level of indoor air quality in these businesses was 11 times higher than levels found in Lexington and 10 times higher than levels calculated in Georgetown, cities that have already implemented indoor air laws. Moreover, the results suggest that employees of these establishments are exposed to levels of particulate matter deemed to be dangerous by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and six times the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for fine particulate matter outdoors. Click here to read more.

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Surgeon General aims to protect children from smoke
Surgeon General Moritsugu recently announced a new campaign to protect children from the dangers of secondhand smoke and released Children and Secondhand Smoke Exposure, a summary of scientific evidence about the danger secondhand smoke exposure poses to children. The campaign will involve several key partners, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Head Start early childhood education program. The EPA will adapt its “Smokefree Homes” program for use by Head Start, and the American Academy of Pediatrics will ask its members to screen children to find out whether there are smokers in their homes who could benefit from smoking cessation services. To read more about the campaign, click here or click here to view Children and Secondhand Smoke Exposure.

New York: $5 million campaign against secondhand smoke
The New York State Department of Health will devote $5 million to a fall campaign designed to warn residents of the dangers that secondhand smoke poses to children. Messages will focus on persuading adults to provide a smokefree environment for their children and encouraging parents to stop smoking. The advertisements will appear on television, radio, the Internet, public transportation and in convenience stores. Click here to read more.

Fresh air campaign to showcase Minnesotans’ love of smokefree air
Clearway Minnesota has launched a promotional campaign for the Freedom to Breathe Act, legislation that will make all indoor workplaces smokefree on October 1. Called “Freedom to Breathe,” the campaign is designed to inform and excite Minnesotans about the law through television and radio advertisements and the distribution of informational materials to business owners. The advertisements will feature Minnesotans’ love of clean, fresh air and will emphasize that this will be available indoors as well as outdoors once the Freedom to Breathe Act is implemented. For more information about the campaign, click here.

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