Secondhand Smoke

Research

Indoor air laws up adoption of smoke-free home policy
Two new studies published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine identify social and environmental factors associated with smoke-free home policies. In both studies, the researchers analyzed Tobacco Use Supplement to Current Population Survey (TUS-CPS) data from 1992 to 2007, and identified correlates of smoke-free home policies through logistic regression. Authors Cheng, Glantz, and Lightwood determined that living in a county with a 100% clean indoor air policy was correlated with an increased likelihood of having a smoke-free home. Researchers Mills, White, Pierce, and Messer found that among households with smokers and children, the prevalence of smoke-free home policies increased from 14.1% in 1992 to 50.0% in 2007; however, disparities exist by race, ethnicity, and educational attainment. The results show that smoke-free legislation protects people from secondhand smoke exposure not only in public, but in the home as well. Read more here, and read the study abstracts by clicking here and here.

A systematic examination of smoke-free policies in multiunit dwellings in Virginia as reported by property managers: Implications for prevention (VA)
A study published in the American Journal of Health Promotion highlights the need for educational efforts to address misconceptions about smoke-free multiunit dwellings among property managers in Virginia. Researchers interviewed property managers in four Virginia cities to determine the presence of smoke-free policies, and reasons for not adopting smoke-free policies. The interviews revealed that 33.8% of property managers had adopted some sort of smoke-free policy, and that most others were not considering adopting a smoke-free policy. Respondents identified a variety of barriers to adopting smoke-free policies, including scientific misperceptions and concerns about legal issues relating to the adoption of policies. The authors suggest that correcting misperceptions may increase property managers’ willingness to adopt smoke-free policies. Read the study abstract here.

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Reports

Arkansas protects even more kids from secondhand smoke (AR)
Effective July 27, an amended Arkansas law protects 78% of Arkansas children from secondhand smoke in vehicles.  Act 811 of 2011 made it a primary offense to smoke in a vehicle with children under 14, and violators will be pulled over and ticketed. The Arkansas Protection from Secondhand Smoke for Children Act of 2006, also known as Act 13, previously protected children under 6 and weighing less than 60 pounds. To educate Arkansans on the dangers of secondhand smoke and the new law, the Arkansas Tobacco Prevention and Cessation launched a new campaign titled “Smoke-free Cars for Healthy Arkansas Kids”. Elements included billboards, radio and print ads, press releases, talking points, a letter of support, a PowerPoint presentation and a letter to the editor. Fact cards, law enforcement education sheets and posters for child care centers were also printed. Three (3) webinars were used to educate state partners. Click here to view the materials that were developed to support the implementation of Act 811.

Nearly one million California children still at risk of secondhand smoke exposure (CA)
According to the Center for Health Policy Research at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), almost 1 million children under the age of twelve are exposed to secondhand smoke in California. The researchers examined data from several cycles of the California Health Interview Survey to determine children’s secondhand smoke exposure. The results show that African American children, children from lower income level families, rural children, and children living in Los Angeles were the most likely to be exposed to secondhand smoke. Researchers from the study are calling for legislation that reduces children’s secondhand smoke exposure, such as targeted messaging to encourage more Californians to adopt smoke-free homes policies, particularly in the groups that are most likely to be exposed to secondhand smoke. Click here to read a summary of the findings, or click here to read the policy brief.

The health and economic benefits of making California smoke-free (CA)
A fact sheet from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS-CAN) looks at the benefits of making all California restaurants, bars, and other workplaces 100% smoke-free. The fact sheet provides an at-a-glance synopsis of the benefits of closing loopholes in California Labor Code 6404.5 which presently allows smoking in some workplaces. Highlights include estimated reductions in the number of smokers and smoking-related deaths, five-year healthcare cost savings, state Medicaid program savings, and smoking-related pregnancy treatment savings. Click here to see the fact sheet.

Fact sheet: Becoming a policy wonk on nonsmoking housing units ordinances
This document from California’s Center for Tobacco Policy and Organizing features answers to tough questions that elected officials and opponents may ask about smoke-free housing ordinances. The answers to the questions have been updated with new information from recent scientific studies, laws and surveys. Click here to download the fact sheet, or click here for other resources related to smoke-free housing.

Smoke-free multi-unit housing fact sheet from CDC State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation (STATE) System
The STATE System is an electronic data warehouse containing up-to-date and historical state-level data on tobacco use prevention and control. The STATE System has provided a fact sheet with an overview of smoke-free multi-unit housing (MUH) issues: heath consequences of SHS exposure, 2) state efforts to restrict smoking in MUH, 3) restrictions in MUH common areas, 4) MUH living area exemptions, 5) MUH common area restrictions, and 6) future implications for state efforts. Also included is a  U.S. map with state smoke-free indoor air restrictions in MUH common areas and a table of state restrictions in government housing common and residential areas, private housing common areas, and private housing residential areas. Click here to view a list of fact sheets available for download from the STATE System.

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State Policy

Florida prison smoking amended to exclude employees (FL)
The Florida Department of Corrections has relaxed its smoke-free policy, allowing correctional officers, employees and prison visitors to smoke and chew tobacco in designated areas on prison grounds. The policy was amended because unions representing correctional officers argued that any new policy that changes workplace conditions must be negotiated as part of a union contract. Although the new policy stipulates that prison staff not use tobacco in the presence of inmates, inmates’ families have complained of violations, arguing that the smoke-free policy should be uniformly applied to everyone in correctional facilities. Read more by clicking here.

NC heart attack rates down since smoke-free law (NC)
Since a smoke-free restaurants and bars law was enacted in 2010, North Carolina has seen a 21% decline in emergency room visits for heart attacks, and has saved between $3.3 and $4.8 million in healthcare costs. Researchers were able to observe the decline in heart attacks by examining data from the North Carolina Disease Event Tracking Epidemiologic Collection Tool in 2008 and 2009 before the law took effect and comparing it to 2010 data. Researchers state that their data shows that smoke-free laws reduce heart attacks. Read more here and click here to read the report for the North Carolina Tobacco Prevention and Control branch.

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National Policy

Smoke-free federal buildings bill closes smoking loophole
U.S. Representative Susan Davis (D-California) has introduced a bill that would make all areas inside and within 25 feet of a federal building smoke-free. Davis hopes that this bill will create a healthy, smoke-free work environment for federal employees. The bill is currently being discussed in the House committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Read bill H.R. 3382 by clicking here, track the bill here and read more here.

MLB to limit tobacco use; MLB and players' union take historic first steps to get tobacco out of the ballgame
The new Major League Baseball collective bargaining agreement will reduce the visibility of smokeless tobacco use by placing limits on tobacco use by MLB players, managers, and coaches at games. The 5-year contract will take effect in 2012, and states that anyone associated with MLB may not carry tobacco products when fans are allowed in the ballpark, and bans players, managers and coaches from using smokeless tobacco during televised interviews and Club appearances. Although the agreement does not include a total ban on tobacco products in ballparks as was requested by a group of senators and a national coalition of supporters and fans, health advocates are optimistic that this is a historic first step to prevent a new generation of kids from becoming addicted to smokeless tobacco. Click here for more details, or click here to read a statement of the Knock Tobacco Out of the Park Coalition, which has worked for much of the past year to raise awareness of the impact of smokeless tobacco use in major league baseball and demonstrate support for a tobacco-free MLB. Click here for more information about the Knock Tobacco Out of the Park campaign.

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International

Russia may ban hookah smoking in public (Russia)
The Russian parliament is considering banning hookah in public places in an effort to protect smokers and bystanders from toxic chemicals in the smoke. The bill includes a fine of up to 1,500 rubles ($50) for anyone caught smoking hookah, and higher penalties for hookah bars and other establishments allowing hookah smoking. It is unclear if the bill will gain enough support from parliament to become a law. Read more here.

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