Secondhand Smoke

Research

Does e-cigarette consumption cause passive vaping?
New research published in the journal Indoor Air investigated whether vapors were released when electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) were consumed. Vaping, or e-cigarette consumption, involves the inhaling of a mixture of chemicals, flavors, and nicotine as an alternative to smoking cigarettes. The data showed that there was a release of ultrafine particles and volatile organic compounds when e-cigarettes were used which could lead to passive vaping, or exposure among people in the immediate vicinity of an e-cigarette user. The researchers note that future studies should analyze the contents of the gases released when e-cigarettes are used to determine any possible health effects. Click here for the study abstract.

U.S. health policy related to hookah tobacco smoking
A new study published in the American Journal of Public Health examined policies regarding hookah tobacco smoking (HTS) in large cities across the U.S. A representative sample of municipal, county, and state legal documents from one hundred of the largest cities in the U.S. were analyzed to assess how tobacco control policies apply to HTS. The data show that 73 out of the 100 cities have laws that prohibit cigarette smoking in bars, and 69 of those allow HTS. The majority of the large U.S cities in this study have smoke-free air laws that apply to bars, and 90% of them allow HTS because of exemptions. The study concludes that regulating HTS similarly to cigarette smoking is paramount in reducing exposure to secondhand smoke. Click here to read the study abstract. Click here to read the full article.

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Reports

New smoke-free housing toolkits available for owners/management agents and residents of federally assisted public and multi-family housing
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Lung Association (ALA) have jointly released two new toolkits on smoke-free multi-family housing. These materials encourage federally assisted public and multi-family property owners to adopt smoke-free policies and support residents that want safer and healthier homes for themselves and their families. The purpose of these toolkits is to protect children, the elderly, disabled, and other disadvantaged individuals from exposure to secondhand smoke, which can lead to health complications. Click here to access the toolkit for owners and property management agents. Click here to access the toolkit created to assist residents living in public and assisted multi-family housing.

Smoke-free air video series
The Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR) Foundation has released “Vinny’s Story,” the first in a series of personal interviews about secondhand smoke in casinos. The video series will contain interviews with casino employees, advocates, researchers and elected officials as they share their perspective on why casinos must be 100% smoke-free. Click here to access the “Vinny’s Story” video. Click here to view ANR/F’s YouTube channel, where future videos will be released as a part of this series.

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State Policy

Smoke-free North Dakota campaign: Smoking ban on the ballot (ND)
Anti-tobacco supporters in North Dakota have secured more than enough petition signatures to put a statewide ban on smoking in bars, motels, and other workplaces to a vote. At least 13,452 signatures were needed to put the proposed law on the ballot in November, and supporters have surpassed that number by turning in 21,000 signatures. A smoking ban in many public places already exists in North Dakota, and this new law would increase its reach to bars, motels, tobacco shops, and private nursing home rooms as well as implement new penalties for violations. To read more, click here.

Tobacco ban sought on all public campuses by Ohio Board of Regents (OH)
The Ohio Board of Regents approved a resolution that bans tobacco products from all public two- and four-year campuses in the state. Boards of trustees on all public campuses will have to create and implement tobacco use policies since the only tobacco-free campus currently in the state is Miami University. The regents hope this resolution will encourage students to focus on health and wellness as a part of their college education. Click here to read more.

Governor Kitzhaber signs Executive Order for tobacco-free state properties (OR)
Governor Kitzhaber of Oregon signed an Executive Order that will make most state-owned buildings and properties tobacco-free by 2014, creating a uniform, statewide tobacco-free policy. Kitzhaber supports this decision due to data that show tobacco to be the leading cause of preventable death in Oregon. Preventing exposure to secondhand smoke will promote a safer and healthier environment for state employees, clients, and visitors. Additionally, while only 9% of state employees smoke, they cost the state about $13 million in healthcare expenditures and productivity losses. Cessation resources are available through state employee benefits, and other state residents who need assistance with quitting can access resources by calling the state quitline. Click here to read more. Click here to read the Executive Order document.

As smoking ban marks second year, restaurant business is up (WI)
The comprehensive smoke-free air law in Wisconsin has been in effect for two years, and state tax collection data show that sales in the hospitality industry have not been negatively affected as some business owners had feared. Following the 2010 ban, restaurant and tavern sales increased by 1% in 2010 and 2% in 2011, and the ban has been positive for the health of employees and customers. Click here to read more about the effects of the ban, and future endeavors the state is working on to reduce secondhand smoke.

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