Secondhand Smoke
Research
Pediatrician interventions and thirdhand smoke beliefs of parents
A recent study finds that parents who smoke heavily are less likely to believe that thirdhand smoke (THS) is harmful for children. THS is the residual tobacco smoke that remains in clothes and other fibers after a cigarette is extinguished. This study examined smoking parents’ beliefs about THS, its health effects on children, as well as the association between pediatrician intervention and parental beliefs regarding harm to their children and THS. Parents (n=1,980) were interviewed on whether THS is harmful to the health of babies and children following a pediatric office visit between 2009 and 2011. The results showed that 91% of parents believed that THS can be harmful to children and babies. Fathers and parents who smoked upwards of ten cigarettes per day were less likely to agree with the harmful health effects of THS. Additionally, parents who received smoking cessation advice or referrals to cessation programs were more likely to agree that THS was harmful. Parental beliefs regarding THS were associated with pediatricians’ actions that supported quitting smoking and cessation programs, providing evidence that pediatricians play an important role in influencing parents’ smoking behaviors. Click here to read this study abstract published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
National and state estimates of secondhand smoke infiltration among U.S. multiunit housing residents
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released a new study in Nicotine & Tobacco Research concluding that of the more than 79.2 million individuals that reside in multiunit homes in the U.S., approximately 28 million that have no-smoking rules for their own homes are still exposed to secondhand smoke at home. The exposure to secondhand smoke originates from infiltration in their living units from elsewhere in or around their buildings. Environmental studies conducted in multiunit homes suggest that simply separating smokers from nonsmokers, ventilating buildings, or cleaning the air is not enough to protect nonsmokers from secondhand smoke exposure. Thus, policy changes that ban smoking in multiunit housing are essential in protecting nonsmokers from the harmful health effects of secondhand smoke. Click here to read more. Click here to read the study abstract.
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Reports
Public comment period reopened: Smoke-free policies for multiunit and public housing
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has extended its deadline for comments on smoke-free policies for multiunit public housing to January, 23, 2013. HUD is seeking information from the public on how HUD can best continue to support the implementation of smoke-free policies for both public housing and multifamily housing. HUD is looking for information on: best practices and practical strategies from housing providers who have implemented smoke-free policies; ideas for overcoming potential obstacles to implementing a smoke-free policy; methods for supporting residents, and housing providers in transitioning to smoke-free housing; and input from housing providers that have decided not to implement a smoke-free policy and those impacted by that decision. This information will assist HUD to develop and disseminate additional guidance and resources to support public housing agencies (PHAs) and owners and management agents (O/As) who wish to implement smoke-free policies. Click here for more information, or click here to submit a comment. On regulations.gov, the docket number is HUD-2012-0103.
Videos: Fighting to eliminate "the casino worker's disease"
The Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation (ANRF) has created a series of videos on YouTube that addresses casino workers’ exposure to tobacco smoke in the workplace. Many casinos across the country continue to allow smoking, exposing workers to high amounts of secondhand smoke (SHS). Even with the installation of ventilation systems, workers and customers are still exposed to SHS, which has been associated with many cancers and other adverse health outcomes. This video series raises awareness about this issue, and features individuals who are fighting against and suffering from SHS exposure in casinos. Click here to view these videos.
Indiana colleges look to revise campus smoking policies (IN)
Several large universities in Indiana will soon enforce stricter smoke-free campus policies. Ball State, Purdue, and Indiana State already have smoke-free policies in place, but currently have designated smoking areas in various locations on their campuses. The Ball State and Indiana University campuses will become 100% smoke-free by the next academic year, and Purdue plans to begin enforcing its existing smoking ban starting in the fall. These smoke-free policies have been implemented in order to protect the health of students, faculty and staff at these universities. Click here to read more.
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State Policy
DE officials celebrate 10th anniversary of smoking ban (DE)
During the ten years since Delaware implemented a statewide Clean Indoor Air Act that prohibited smoking in indoor public locations, the smoking prevalence in the state has decreased. According to the state’s Health and Social Services Secretary Rita Landgraf, smoking rates among high school students in Delaware have decreased to the lowest levels recorded. Over the past ten years, all of the state’s Department of Health and Social Services campuses, hospitals, and state buildings have also become smoke-free. Likewise, 25 other states have modeled their smoke-free laws after those implemented in Delaware. Click here to read more about this story. Click here to read the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids statement on Delaware’s anniversary.
Fargo bar owner says he'll exploit ‘loophole’ in state's new smoking ban (ND)
Bar owners in North Dakota discovered a loophole in the statewide smoke-free air law. Bar owners have created a private club room where patrons who are members may legally smoke inside of the bars. The smoke-free policy states that an exception is for “any area that is not commonly accessible to the public, and which is part of an owner operated business having no employee other than the owner operator.” Therefore, these private clubs are legal, as the doors are locked and are only available to “members.” The smoking ban law was created in order to protect the public from exposure to secondhand smoke. While public health officials are expected to take the lead on education and complaint-driven enforcement, police may issue tickets to smokers caught violating the policy and suspend business owners’ permits and licenses. Click here to read more.
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