Secondhand Smoke

Research

Tobacco smoke exposure before, during and after pregnancy and risk of overweight at age 6
New research published in Obesity shows that maternal smoking is associated with overweight and obesity among children at age six. Researchers measured children’s weight, and interviewed parents on maternal smoking status before, during, and after pregnancy and on the child’s secondhand smoke exposure at home. The results showed that maternal smoking before, during and after pregnancy were associated with overweight status at age six. The authors suggest that programs aimed at preventing childhood overweight should include a smoking cessation aspect for the parents. Read the study abstract here.

Smoking and passive smoking in cervical cancer risk: Pooled analysis of couples from the IARC multi-centric case control studies
According to a new study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, the combined effects of exposure to active smoking and secondhand smoke may be an independent risk factor for invasive cervical cancer (ICC). Researchers examined 1,919 couples to determine their smoking status and secondhand smoke exposure, including exposure to secondhand smoke from their partners. Results show an increased risk of ICC when both the male and female are, or have ever been, smokers. Authors suggest that more comprehensive tobacco control efforts are necessary to decrease the burden of tobacco-related diseases. Read the study abstract here.

Prenatal and postnatal tobacco smoke exposure and development of insulin resistance in 10 year old children
According to a study published in the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, insulin resistance, a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and other chronic health conditions, increases in children who are frequently exposed to secondhand smoke during childhood. Researchers collected fasting blood samples, body mass indexes, and prenatal and postnatal tobacco exposure from two birth cohorts over a ten year period. Results show that insulin resistance increased by 24% in children who are frequently exposed to secondhand smoke. Maternal smoking in the third trimester and a third person smoking in the house were also associated with an increase in insulin resistance. Read the study abstract here.

Medicaid expenditures for children living with smokers
According to a new study published in BMC Health Services Research, children ages eleven and under living with a smoker have slightly higher emergency department expenditures than those living with nonsmokers. Researchers used longitudinal data reported by adults participating in the national Medical Expenditures Panel Survey to determine the presence of household smoking and examine children’s Medicaid expenditures between 2000 and 2007. On average, children living with smokers had $10 higher emergency department expenditures per year than children living with nonsmokers. The authors state that additional research is needed to better understand the relationship between secondhand smoke exposure and long-term health and economic outcomes. Read the study abstract here.

Exempting casinos from the Smoke-free Illinois Act will not bring patrons back: They never left (IL)
According to a study published in Tobacco Control, the introduction of the Smoke-free Illinois Act in 2008 had no effect on Illinois casino admissions. In 2010, Illinois lawmakers proposed new legislation that would exempt Illinois casinos from the smoke-free policy until the surrounding states adopted smoke-free casino policies as well. In order to determine the effect of the smoke-free policy on casino business, researchers examined monthly casino admissions from 2007 to 2008 in Illinois and three surrounding states. A comparison of casino admissions before and after implementation of the smoke-free law shows that there was no difference in trends in admission across the four states, accounting for the economic downturn. The data illustrate that the smoke-free policy did not have an effect on business in Illinois. Read more here.

Banning smoking in New Jersey casinos - a content analysis of the debate in print media (NJ)
A content analysis of 210 New Jersey newspaper articles discussing the decision to exempt Atlantic City casinos from a comprehensive smoke-free air law was published in Substance Use and Misuse. The authors examined newspaper articles printed between 2005 and 2007 to determine the message framing used to support or oppose the casino exemptions. Results show that those who supported the exemption framed the issue in terms of compromise and economics and those who opposed the exemption used equity and health frames. The authors suggest that media advocacy efforts could be more effective if they are informed by content analysis studies. Read the study abstract here.

Clean indoor air regulation and incidence of hospital admissions for acute coronary syndrome in Kanawha County, West Virginia (WV)
According to a new study published in Preventing Chronic Disease, Kanawha County, West Virginia saw a decline in incidence of hospital admissions for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the presence of the county clean indoor air regulation (CIAR). Researchers examined hospital admissions data from three major care hospitals for ACS admissions between 2000 and 2008. Results show that hospital admissions declined over the study period with differences in the amount of decline between specific population groups. The authors state that acute coronary events may decrease in the presence of a CIAR and future studies should further examine the effectiveness of county clean indoor air regulations on decreasing ACS. Read the study here.

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Reports

Fighting for air: Secondhand smoke in casinos
Roswell Park Cancer Institute and the Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation (ANRF) have produced a video that highlights casino workers and their fight for smoke-free air. This video aims to put a human face on the effects of secondhand smoke in casinos and to raise awareness about this issue. Watch the video here.

Smoke levels in casinos unhealthy, group says (MO)
An air quality study released by the Health Foundation of Greater Kansas City and Clean Air Metro KC has quantified the extreme pollution levels in Kansas City area casinos. The study measured fine particulate matter, an indicator of indoor air quality, in smoking and nonsmoking sections of five Kansas City area casinos. The data showed that on average, the smoking sections of the casinos had a level of particulate matter deemed “unhealthy” by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and that nonsmoking sections also had moderate levels of fine particulate matter. In light of the findings, the two sponsors have urged local city councils to remove smoking exemptions in these facilities in order to offer casino workers the same protections against secondhand smoke that other workers are afforded. Read more here, or click here to download a copy of the report.

Data: No negative impact by Clean Indoor Air Act (NV)
According to a study released by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, restaurant and tavern sales were decreasing in Nevada prior to the implementation of the 2006 Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act. Currently, efforts are being made to weaken the Act, which prohibits indoor smoking in workplaces, including restaurants and bars that serve food. Proponents of Assembly Bill 571, which would allow smoking in taverns and restaurants with liquor permits, believe that allowing smoking would increase business at these locations. Read more here.

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State Policy

DC council considers cigar loophole in smoke-free law (DC)
Public health advocates are calling on Washington, D.C. Mayor Gray and the city council to reject a language change in the Budget Support Act that would create a loophole in the District’s comprehensive smoke-free air law. The new language in the budget bill would allow hotels with large banquet rooms to host events which permit cigar smoking. According to a press release from the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the legislation would create a precedent for allowing more smoking exemptions. Read more here. Update: D.C. Council approves smokefree law exemption According to a report from the Smokefree DC Coalition, the D.C. Council voted to approve language that would allow a once-a-year exemption from the smoke-free law for 79 hotels in the city. Read more here.

Smoke-free workplace legislation approved by California Senate (CA)
New legislation being considered in California, Bill 575, will close loopholes in the existing smoke-free worksite law, by increasing protection for workers and patrons against secondhand smoke. Smoking will no longer be allowed in certain areas of hotel lobbies, banquet rooms, breakrooms and other locations where workers and patrons could be exposed to secondhand smoke. Having passed the Senate, the bill will head to the State Assembly for consideration. Read more here and follow the bill’s progress here.

Senate rejects smoking ban for Louisiana bars (LA)
Louisiana’s Senate has rejected a smoke-free policy that would prohibit smoking in bars. The policy’s sponsor, Democrat senator Rob Marionneaux, believed that the smoke-free policy would improve the health of bar workers and patrons. Marionneaux had already cut out casinos, off-track betting facilities and other gambling locations from the original proposal, but the policy still did not gain enough support to pass. Opponents argued that a smoke-free policy would hurt business at bars and that adults should decide individually whether or not to enter a smoky bar. Read more here.

New legislation to be introduced to amend Smoke-Free Air Law (MI)
Just over a year after the implementation of Michigan’s statewide comprehensive smoke-free air law, four bills have been introduced to create loopholes in the law. The proposals include allowing smoking in designated rooms and on outdoor patios or in licensed clubs, such as veterans’ organizations. Although supporters of the proposals cite the need to allow smoking to protect business interests, two separate polls conducted earlier this year provided reasons to keep the existing smoke-free law intact. One poll found that 74% percent of the public is supportive of the existing smoke-free air policy, and another demonstrated that bar employees are experiencing reductions in allergies and respiratory problems now that their workplaces are smoke-free. Read more here.

Bill to allow smoking in bars that serve food signed (NV)
Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval signed a bill that will allow smoking in adult-only taverns or adult-only areas inside taverns where food is served. Smoking will remain prohibited in typical restaurants and bars that allow minors to enter. Opponents of the law believe that this bill represents an attempt to erode the Nevada Clean Indoor Act, the statewide smoke-free policy that voters approved in 2006. Proponents say that the bill does not broaden where individuals can smoke, but allows food to be served in locations where smoking is already allowed. The bill will go into effect immediately. Read more here.

New York City outdoor smoking ban begins (NY)
At the end of May, a law went into effect that makes smoking in New York City’s parks, public beaches, and pedestrian plazas illegal. This policy is expected to help decrease the community’s exposure to secondhand smoke and reduce cigarette litter. The law will be enforced by the city’s parks department. Violators of the bill could be fined fifty dollars. With the implementation of this smoke-free law, New York City joins over a hundred other municipalities that prohibit smoking on beaches and over five hundred municipalities with smoke-free parks. Read more here.

Weprin bill aims to keep kids smoke-free in cars (NY)
New York Assemblyman David Weprin has proposed legislation that would stop adults from smoking in cars when children are present. Bill A7285-2011 would allow law enforcement to pull over and fine up to $100 anyone seen smoking in their vehicle the presence of a child under the age of fourteen. Weprin hopes to bring awareness to the harms of secondhand smoke exposure and reduce the prevalence of smoking in the state. The bill is currently under review in the state Assembly. Read more here.

Senate passes Fuschillo bill to protect railroad passengers from second-hand smoke (NY)
Senator Charles Fuschillo’s smoke-free policy that would stop people from smoking on MTA train platforms and boarding areas has passed the New York State Senate. Bill S3461C would disallow smoking on ticketing, boarding and platform areas. Senator Fuschillo hopes this bill will decrease commuters’ secondhand smoke exposure. The legislation has been sent to Governor Cuomo for consideration. Read more here.

Budget cut may yield weakened smoke ban (OH)
According to anti-tobacco advocates in Ohio, a lack of funding may endanger the Ohio Smoke Free Workplace Act, the state’s comprehensive smoke-free air law. The state budget currently allocates no funding for investigations of smoking violations and would phase out the state quitline. Opponents of the policy change say that without proper enforcement, the comprehensive smoke-free air law would not be upheld. Proponents of the change state that the cuts might be necessary under the current budgetary pressure. Read more here.

Statewide smoking ban is revived in special session (TX)
In a special session, the Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee has voted to revive a bill that would prohibit smoking in bars and restaurants. Proponents of the bill say the smoke-free policy would protect the public from secondhand smoke exposure and would decrease state spending on treatments for smoking-related diseases. The bill is currently pending in the House of Representatives. Follow Senate Bill 28 here and read more here.

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International Policy

Argentina bans smoking in public places (Argentina)
Argentinean lawmakers approved a nationwide law that would prohibit smoking in public places, ban tobacco advertising, and require warnings on tobacco products. Argentina has also banned the import, sale, and promotion of electronic cigarettes. Approximately 33% of adults in Argentina smoke cigarettes and 15-20% of pregnant women smoke throughout their pregnancies. It is believed that the new policy will help decrease the smoking prevalence throughout the country. Read more here.

Chilean gov't presents reform bill to modify tobacco law (Chile)
Chile’s smoke-free law is being reformed to prohibit smoking in public places, including bars, restaurants, night clubs and offices. The reform may also prohibit smoking in places where sports are played, including indoor and outdoor locations. This law seeks to eliminate secondhand smoke exposure in all workplaces. Read more here.

Smoking to be banned at all schools in Beijing (China)
According to the Beijing Patriotic Health Campaign Committee, a smoke-free policy will be implemented by the end of the year in all Beijing kindergartens, primary and secondary schools. Individuals will not be able to smoke inside schools or outside on school grounds. No-smoking signs will be displayed in classroom buildings and teachers’ offices. The policy aims to reduce secondhand smoke exposure at schools. Read more here.

Israel moves toward smoking bans in public venues (Israel)
The Israeli Prime Minister’s cabinet has approved new amendments and regulations aimed at decreasing the smoking rates of the Israeli population. The regulations include a ban on smoking at train and bus station platforms and will limit smoking areas in restaurants to fifteen square meters. The cabinet also approved a program that will set new limitations on tobacco advertisements, institute a ban on automated cigarette machines, and add graphic warning pictures to cigarette packs. The cabinet also plans to launch a program that will create smoke-free schools. The Ministerial Committee for Legislation will review the changes next month. Read more here.

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