Secondhand Smoke

Research

Smokers at risk from their own 'secondhand' smoke
It is well known that smokers damage their health by directly inhaling cigarette smoke. Now, research published in Environmental Health has shown that they are at additional risk from breathing environmental tobacco smoke, contrary to the prevailing assumption that such risks would be negligible in comparison to those incurred by actually smoking. Read more here, or click here to view the abstract of the research.

Secondhand smoke drift: Examining the influence of indoor smoking bans on indoor and outdoor air quality at pubs and bars
While indoor smoking bans are effective in improving air quality in pubs, smoke-free indoor areas may be compromised by smoking in adjacent outdoor areas, a new Australian study has found. Researchers analyzed concentrations of secondhand smoke in indoor and adjacent outdoor areas of nineteen bars before and after the implementation of an indoor smoking ban. They found that concentrations of secondhand smoke indoors decreased after the ban by 65.5% and outdoor exposure decreased 38.8%; indoor concentrations were positively associated with the corresponding outdoor concentration. Click here to read the abstract of the study, published in Nicotine Tobacco Research.

Blood pressure harm from smoke 'may explain cot death'
A research team has found that smoking while pregnant damages the unborn infant’s ability to control blood pressure, potentially explaining why maternal smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The blood pressure and heart rates of infants born to non-smoking couples (n=19) were compared to infants of moderate smokers (n=17) at 1-3 weeks, three months, and one year. Smoke-exposed infants were found to have abnormal heart rates and surges in blood pressure that worsened over the course of the first year of life. The researchers believe that these damages to the circulatory system may be a contributing factor to SIDS; experts say that a third of SIDS deaths could be prevented if expecting women did not smoke. Click here to read more, or click here to read the study abstract, published in Hypertension.

Even third-hand smoke carries carcinogens: study
A new study has found that tobacco smoke residue, or “third-hand smoke,” contains carcinogens that stick to surfaces and may be picked up by infants and children. Researchers measured levels of carcinogenic tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNA) on surfaces inside a smoker’s vehicle and on model indoor household materials exposed to tobacco smoke, finding fast TSNA formation. TSNA are broad-acting, potent carcinogens that form when nicotine in tobacco smoke adsorbs onto indoor surfaces and combines with ambient nitrous acid. Exposure to TSNA particles can occur through dermal contact, dust inhalation, and ingestion; children are particularly at risk of exposure due to their frequent contact with indoor surfaces and dust. Click here to read more about the potential implications, or read the study abstract, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Secondhand smoke raises TB risk: study
Chinese researchers have found that smoking is not only a risk factor for tuberculosis (TB), but exposure to secondhand smoke also increases the chances of developing the disease. Over a five to eight year study period, the study followed 15,486 non-smoking women aged 65-74 years, during which 117 of the women developed acute TB infection. Women who had been exposed to secondhand smoke in the home were 1.5 times more likely to develop active TB and 1.7 times more likely to develop culture-confirmed TB than women who did not live with a smoker. Women living with smokers were also more likely to have obstructive lung disease and diabetes at the start of the study. Read more here, or view the abstract, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Adult household smoking is associated with increased child emotional and behavioral problems
Researchers have found that children who live with smokers are at increased risk of emotional and behavioral problems, with the rates of these problems increasing with the number of smokers in the household. Data from 2000-2004 medical expenditure panel surveys involving over 30,000 children aged 5-17 were used to examine associations between children’s emotional and behavioral problems and household smoking. Children living with smokers were significantly more likely to have behavioral problems. Read more about the study, published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.

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Reports

Tobacco smoke pollution in Oklahoma workplaces (OK)
The Oklahoma Tobacco Research Center (OTRC) at the Oklahoma University Cancer Institute found levels of secondhand smoke in smoking rooms in restaurants and bars that were high enough to be very hazardous to patrons’ health.  Researchers monitored particulate pollution in 67 smoking rooms using aerosol monitors.  A scale developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to measure particulate matter in air was used to categorize the levels of secondhand smoke in the rooms.  Using the EPA scale, outdoor levels of pollution are described as ‘unhealthy’ at 66-150 mg/m3 (micrograms per cubic meter of air), very unhealthy at 151-250 mg/m3, and hazardous at higher concentrations.  Smoking rooms in restaurants averaged 380 mg/m3, and the average in bars was 655 mg/m3. Restaurants that did not allow smoking averaged around 26 mg/m3.  Click here to read more, or read the preliminary report.

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