Secondhand Smoke
Research
Ethnic variability in persistent asthma after in utero tobacco exposure
According to a study published in Pediatrics, asthma is associated with exposure to tobacco smoke in utero. Researchers collected asthma prevalence and smoking frequency data from Mexican, Puerto Rican, and black children and their parents to determine the effect of in utero tobacco exposure on the development of persistent asthma. Results show that children with persistent asthma were 3.6 times more likely to have been exposed to tobacco smoke in utero compared to children with mild asthma. The authors believe that smoking cessation during pregnancy could lead to a reduction in the incidence of persistent asthma in the study population. Read more here and read the study abstract here.
Trends in home smoking bans in the USA, 1995-2007: Prevalence, discrepancies and disparities
According to a study published in Tobacco Control, there are disparities in children’s protections from secondhand smoke while at home. Researchers analyzed data collected between 1995 and 2007 from the Tobacco Use Supplement of the US Current Population Survey (TUS-CPS) to determine the prevalence of parental smoking bans in the home. The results show that the prevalence of home smoking bans increased from 58.1% of households in 1995 to 83.8% in 2007; however, households with certain characteristics (for example, single parent or low income) were less likely to report having a home smoking ban. The authors suggest that home smoking ban interventions target groups that are less likely to have smoke-free homes to protect more children from secondhand smoke exposure. Read the study abstract here.
Study finds smoke-free laws do not impact rural or urban economies
A new study published in Nicotine and Tobacco Research adds to the evidence that smoke-free laws do not have a negative impact on economies in urban or rural communities. The findings were based on economic data collected from 2001-2009 on the impact of local smoke-free policies passed in Kentucky and Ohio's statewide smoke-free law. Click here to read more about the research, or click here to read the study abstract.
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State Policy
California legislature approves ban on rental-unit smoking (CA)
The California Legislature has approved a bill that will allow landlords to ban smoking both inside and outside their properties. The bill is designed to give tenants more smoke-free housing options and prevent secondhand smoke from seeping into units through windows, doors, and shared ventilation systems. The bill will now be reviewed by Governor Jerry Brown. Read more here and track the progress of Senate Bill 332 here. Related: UCLA Study: No-smoking policies save lives and money According to a study from the University of California, Los Angeles, apartment building owners in California could save up to $18 million on apartment cleaning between tenants by implementing smoke-free policies. Researchers surveyed California housing owners on their smoking-related costs and smoke-free policies and determined that 27% of respondents had incurred smoking-related costs, which averaged $4,935. According to the authors, these findings demonstrate the financial benefits of adopting and enforcing smoke-free policies in apartment units. Read more here and read the study abstract found in the American Journal of Public Health here.
More renters living in smoke-free housing (ME)
As of this August, all twenty of Maine’s public housing authorities have adopted smoke-free policies for their apartments, making the state the first in the U.S. with smoke-free housing policies in all of its housing authorities. The Smoke-Free Housing Coalition of Maine has partnered with public housing authorities and property owners since 2004 to provide smoke-free housing in the state. Click here to read an announcement from the Smoke-Free Housing Coalition of Maine about the smoke-free policy for public housing. There has also been an increase of smoke-free private apartment units in Maine. According to a survey commissioned by the Breathe Easy Coalition of Maine, 47% of all Maine renters live in smoke-free housing, and 48% of apartment landlords have smoke-free policies.
Cuomo bans smoking on LIRR platforms (NY)
The Governor of New York has signed a bill that will prohibit smoking on outdoor train ticketing, boarding, or platform areas operated by the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). Governor Cuomo believes that this law will protect commuters from the health effects of secondhand smoke as well as keep the areas cleaner. The policy will go into effect in November. Read more here, or click here to view a statement from the American Lung Association supporting the passage of the bill.
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Tribal Policy
Navajo Nation President vetoes smoking regulation (Navajo Nation)
Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly has vetoed a smoke-free law that would have prohibited smoking in all public places on the reservation with the exception of tribal casinos. Shelly overturned the law because he believed it would not adequately protect casino employees from the health effects of secondhand smoke. The Navajo Nation Tribal Council’s proposed smoke-free policy did not include casinos because they feared casinos would lose business if patrons could not smoke. Shelly suggests that the tribe’s Division of Health, Division of Public Safety, Judicial Branch and the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise work together to create a bill that will protect everyone from the effects of smoking. Read more here. Update: Smokers still free to light up on Navajo Nation Lawmakers unsuccessfully attempted to overturn President Shelly’s veto of the smoke-free law, so the veto will stand. Read more here.
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