Secondhand Smoke
Research
Secondhand smoke exposure and quality of life in patients with heart failure
According to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, secondhand smoke exposure is associated with a lower health-related quality (HRQOL) of life in patients with heart failure. The researchers examined nonsmokers with heart failure to measure their secondhand smoke exposure via cotinine levels and HRQOL through measures such as physical functioning, pain, emotional well-being and social functioning. The results show that those patients exposed to higher levels of secondhand smoke generally had lower HRQOL scores, in both physical and emotional domains. Even low levels of exposure were associated with lower HRQOL scores. The authors believe that physicians should advise patients with heart failure to avoid secondhand smoke exposure to improve HRQOL. Read more here and read the study abstract by clicking here.
Association between local indoor smoking ordinances in Massachusetts and cigarette smoking during pregnancy (MA)
According to a study published in Tobacco Control, indoor smoke-free ordinances are associated with a lower smoking prevalence among pregnant women. The researchers examined birth certificate data against a database of indoor smoke-free ordinances and discovered that compared to women living in areas without smoke-free ordinances, women in areas with smoke-free ordinances had lower odds of smoking while pregnant. The researchers also found that the longer a smoke-free ordinance had been in place, the greater positive effect it had on pregnant women’s smoking habits. The authors believe this study shows just one of the population-level benefits of smoke-free policies. Click here to read the study abstract.
Researcher finds university-wide smoking ban effective (IN)
A new study shows that smoke-free college campus policies may be effective at reducing tobacco use among college students. Students attending two large public universities in Indiana, one of which had enacted a smoke-free policy, were surveyed about their smoking behavior and beliefs. Students exposed to the smoke-free policy had favorable changes in smoking behavior, perceptions of peer tobacco use, and smoking norms compared to students that were unexposed to a smoke-free campus policy. Longitudinal survey data revealed that in addition to the aforementioned benefits, students’ perceptions toward the regulation of tobacco became more positive following the implementation of a smoke-free policy. Click here for more information, or click here to read the abstract of the study, which was published in Preventive Medicine.
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Reports
Increasingly, smoking indoors is forbidden at public housing
A recent New York Times article draws attention to the rising number of public housing authorities that are passing policies to prohibit smoking indoors and protect residents from secondhand smoke. For example, as of January 1, Maine will become the first state in the U.S. with 100% smoke-free public housing, and in September 2012, Boston will become the largest city to require all of its public housing to be smoke-free. While officials believe smoke-free housing policies are an effective way to promote healthier living, they acknowledge specialized challenges to compliance and enforcement in this area. To help housing authorities address those challenges and encourage other housing authorities to enact similar policies, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will collect information on best and promising practices from housing authorities that have implemented smoke-free policies. Click here to read the full story. Related: Housing policy is health policy: Q&A with HUD’s Raphael Bostic Click here to read an interview with HUD Secretary Raphael Bostic in which Bostic explains the thinking behind increased efforts at HUD to integrate health into all of its housing policies. Bostic also outlines what the health sector can do to help lead the push for healthy housing policies.
Smoke-free laws save lives: Michigan smoking ban cuts indoor air pollution by 93 percent; North Carolina smoking ban helping lower heart attacks (MI, NC)
Two recent news stories add further support to the evidence that comprehensive statewide smoke-free indoor air policies improve air quality and have positive health effects. Click here to read about Michigan's statewide smoke-free policy, which according to a study by the Michigan Department of Community Health, has led to a 93% average reduction in air pollutants from secondhand smoke in restaurants across the state. Click here to access the full statewide air quality report. Following the implementation of North Carolina's smoke-free policy, emergency room visits for heart attacks declined 21%. Click here to read about the study of North Carolina's smoke-free policy conducted by North Carolina Division of Public Health and the University of North Carolina Department of Emergency Medicine, or click here to download the report.
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State Policy
New policy prohibits smoking in cars when minors are present (Guam)
Legislators in Guam have passed a new policy that makes it illegal to smoke in a vehicle containing a minor aged 17 years or younger. The law took effect immediately after being passed, and fines for violating the law may reach as high as $500. All collected fines will go to the Guam Cancer Trust Fund. Recognizing that there is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure, the sponsor of the bill notes that everyone should be encouraged not to smoke in vehicles. Read more here.
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International
Did smokefree legislation in England reduce exposure to secondhand smoke among nonsmoking adults? (England)
A recent study sought to quantify the effects of a comprehensive smoke-free law on secondhand smoke exposure among nonsmokers in England. The researchers analyzed trends in nonsmokers’ salivary cotinine levels, which were measured in annual surveys conducted between 1998 and 2008. The data revealed that both the prevalence of secondhand smoke exposure and the average amount of exposure decreased significantly in nonsmokers following the enactment of the smoke-free law in July 2007. Significant reductions in secondhand smoke exposure did not occur among individuals exposed to secondhand smoke in the home and those with lower socioeconomic status, suggesting that further interventions are needed in order to reduce secondhand smoke exposure in those groups. Click here to read the article in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.
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