Secondhand Smoke

Research

Study: Secondhand smoke tied to dementia
A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Cambridge and the University of Michigan has found a significant increase in the risk of dementia for adults over fifty who have had high levels of secondhand smoke exposure. The study, which is published in the February edition of the British Medical Journal, is the first large scale study that has shown an association between secondhand smoke exposure and dementia in older adults. Researchers tested saliva samples in almost 5,000 non-smoking individuals over age 50 for cotinine which is a by-product of nicotine. High levels of cotinine suggest exposure to secondhand smoke. To assess brain function and cognitive impairment, the researchers used established neuropsychological tests. The study found a 44% increase in cognitive impairment of subjects with high levels of cotinine. Click here to read more. Click here to read an abstract of the study published in the British Medical Journal.

Tobacco smoke and alcohol harm liver worse as combo
A recent study, published in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine, suggests that secondhand smoke exposure combined with alcohol consumption significantly increases the risk of developing liver disease. Researchers, at the University of Alabama, found that mice that were exposed to secondhand smoke in a laboratory enclosure and fed a liquid diet of ethanol had 110% more liver fibrosis proteins than mice who breathed filtered air. Additionally, the mice with dual alcohol and secondhand smoke exposure had 65% more liver fibrosis proteins than mice that were only exposed to secondhand smoke. Liver fibrosis is scar tissue in the liver that can lead to cirrhosis. Click here to read more.

Environmental tobacco smoke avoidance among pregnant African-American nonsmokers
Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) during pregnancy can cause detrimental health outcomes in newborns. Research published in the March 2009 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine wanted to determine correlates of ETS avoidance during early pregnancy among low-income, African-American women. The study found that 27% of the sample actively avoided ETS exposure. The researchers concluded that the study confirms the importance of social contextual factors regarding ETS exposure. The results underscore the need to identify pregnant nonsmokers at risk for exposure to address many of the factors such as encouraging household smoking bans and social support. Click here to read an abstract of the study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Bar Workers who smoke also benefit from smoking ban, study finds (Scotland) 
A recent study finds that smoking bans in bars benefit workers nonsmokers and smokers alike.  The study was conducted in Scotland and includes over 370 workers from 72 bars. Effects of the reduction in exposure to secondhand smoke was seen among those who did not smoke and those who continued to smoke.  To read more about this study published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, click here.

Smoking ban hits home. Truly. (CA)  
In Belmont California, it is now unlawful to smoke in apartment buildings.  The town in the Silicon Valley area has one of the strictest smoking bans in the country and has taken smoking bans one step further by prohibiting smoking in any apartment that shares a floor or ceiling with another, including condominiums. Smoking bans in other cities have been passed but have applied to units in privately owned apartment buildings.  To read more about Belmont’s smoking ban in apartment buildings, click here.

Study documents secondhand smoke cost to Indiana (IN)
A recent study conducted by researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine’s Bowen Research Center estimated the economic and health impact of secondhand smoke in the state of Indiana. The study concluded that secondhand smoke exposure in Indiana homes and businesses cost the state $390 million in medical related expenses in 2007. Indiana’s adult smoking rate of 24.1% is well above the national adult smoking average of 19.8% putting Indiana residents at an even higher risk for secondhand smoke related complications and expenditures.  Click here to read more. Click here to read the full report, Estimating the impact of secondhand smoke on Indiana in 2007.

top

International

The prevalence of second-hand smoking exposure and its correlated factors in 6 counties of China (China)
Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences recently published a study looking at the prevalence of secondhand smoke exposure and its correlated factors in six counties in China. The study utilized a cross sectional survey that was distributed through face to face interviews with participants and intended to assess prevalence, attitudes and knowledge of non-smokers regarding secondhand smoke exposure. A total of 8,142 non-smokers were included in the analysis. The study found that 48.3% of respondents had often or sometimes been exposed to secondhand smoke in their household. Additionally, rural residents, females and married respondents reported high exposure while those with a higher education level reported a lower exposure rate. Only 6.3% of respondents completely prohibited smoking within their household. Only 21.9% of the respondents correctly answered the three health risk questions suggesting that there is a lack of knowledge about the health risks related to exposure. The researchers also found that there was little pressure from non-smokers against smoking. Click here to read an abstract or to access the full study in the online journal Tobacco Control.

top

Back to Table of Contents