Secondhand Smoke

Research

Study links smoke-free air laws to fewer pre-term births
A new study finds a link between smoke-free air laws and reduced rates of preterm births. Researchers from Belgium’s Hasselt University examined trends in preterm births (before 37 weeks gestation) between 2002 and 2011 during and after the implementation of smoke-free laws. The smoke-free air policies were implemented in three phases starting in public places and most workplaces in 2006, in restaurants in 2007, and in bars that serve food in 2010. Prior to the laws, no decreasing trends in preterm births were observed; however, as the laws took effect, a consistent pattern of reduction in the risk for preterm birth was reported. Exposure to secondhand smoke is associated with several adverse health effects, especially among pregnant women and their children. This study provides evidence that smoke-free air laws are effective in reducing preterm birth rates. Click here to read more. Click here to access the study abstract published in BMJ.

Study: Kansas' smoke-free law hasn't affected business in restaurants, bars (KS)
A new study finds that the state’s smoke-free air law has not negatively affected businesses in Kansas. The study was conducted and published by the Kansas Health Institute. The study found that there is no evidence showing that the smoke-free air law was associated with restaurant and bar sales or the number of establishments that serve liquor. The researchers assessed restaurant and bar sales from eight years prior to the law, and compared them with sales two years after the law took effect. Data showed that sales continued to increase after the law even though there was widespread concern that business would be negatively affected. State legislators made public places such as restaurants, bars, and indoor workplaces smoke-free in 2010. Click here to read more. Click here to access the full report.

Tobacco smoke exposure in a sample of Boston public housing residents (MA)
Tobacco smoke exposure was reported to be higher among nonsmoking public housing residents compared to nonsmoking Americans nationally in a recent study. Researchers assessed the levels of tobacco smoke exposure among nonsmoking residents of the Boston Housing Authority (BHA), and compared those rates to published data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants took part in a tobacco smoke exposure screening that consisted of taking a survey and giving a saliva sample that was analyzed for the presence of cotinine, an indicator of nicotine in the body. The majority (88%) of the public housing residents in the study had detectable levels of cotinine in their saliva compared to 56% of the national sample. Those who lived in homes with strict no-smoking rules were found to have lower cotinine levels than residents living in homes without no-smoking rules. This study suggests that nonsmoking residents of public housing are being exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes, and that stricter smoke-free policies should be implemented in order to protect them from such exposure. Since this study was completed, the Boston Housing Authority has adopted a comprehensive smoke-free policy, and the researchers will continue to study the effects of smoke-free rules on public housing residents. Click here to read more, or click here to read the study abstract published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

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Reports

Data on smoke-free policies in substance abuse treatment facilities, 2011
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has published results from the 2011 annual survey of public and private facilities providing substance abuse treatment throughout the 50 states. The report contains data on location, facility and client characteristics, and use of alcohol and drug abuse treatment facilities and services. It also contains data on facility smoking policy. The majority of facilities, 54.8%, allow smoking in outdoor areas only. The types of substance abuse treatment facilities included in this report are private nonprofit, state and federal government, and tribal government. Click here to access the full report; reference Table 4.24 on page 81 for data on facility smoking policy.

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State Policy

Outdoor smoke-free policies may be coming to south Florida beaches, parks (FL)
State Representative Bill Hager is the sponsor of new legislation that would give local governments the power to ban smoking in beaches and parks in Florida. Current Florida law does not allow local government to implement smoking restrictions. The future of this bill is uncertain, but as Hager states, “The verdict is clear: Second-hand smoke kills people.” Laws of this nature prevent exposure to the harmful health effects of secondhand smoke in public places such as beaches and parks. Click here to read more. Click here to track HB 439 which is now in the Health Quality Subcommittee.

Proposed statewide smoking ban clears Kentucky legislative panel (KY)
A new proposed bill that would ban smoking in indoor public places in Kentucky has been approved in a House committee. This bill protects nonsmokers from exposure to secondhand smoke and has garnered support from 300 organizations and the majority of registered voters in the state. Despite Kentucky’s strong identity as a tobacco growing state, this proposal passed with a vote of 11-0. Comprehensive statewide smoke-free air laws have already been passed in 29 states. Click here to read more. Click here to track HB 190.

New ads call for smoke-free Kentucky (KY)
A new ad campaign has been launched that calls for a comprehensive, statewide smoke-free law in Kentucky. The ads will run in newspapers and online throughout the state, and highlight that not only is Kentucky known for its love of basketball and horses, it is also number one in lung cancer. The ad contains a call for public support of HB 190, the smoke-free air bill. Click here to read more.

Senators try again to ban smoking with kids in car (MD)
Maryland Senator Bobby A. Zirkin has sponsored a bill that would penalize adults caught smoking while driving or riding in a car with children under eight years old. This legislation is supported by advocates from several organizations in the state’s health community such as the Maryland Department of Mental Hygiene, Johns Hopkins University, and the Maryland Group Against Smokers. Zirkin states that children are not able to decide whether or not to be exposed to secondhand smoke, and this bill would protect them. Many studies have provided evidence on the dangers of children being exposed to secondhand smoke in cars. This bill would invoke a $50 fine to adults who violate the law. Click here to read more. Click here to track bill HB 528.

Bill: No smoking in MN theater productions (MN)
Senator Barb Goodwin introduced a bill that would ban smoking in all theatrical productions in Minnesota. There are smoking bans already in place for most indoor public places, however, smoking is still allowed in performances as long as patrons are given advance notice of its presence and is printed in performance programs. Goodwin states that smoking on stage influences young people, and glamorizes smoking. This loophole in the state’s indoor smoking ban has already been exploited as some bars have been holding theater nights where customers are considered “actors” and are able to smoke. This proposed law would protect theatre patrons from exposure to secondhand smoke, and reduce the glamorization of smoking in theatrical productions. Click here to read more. Click here to track SF 47, which has been referred to the Health, Human Services and Housing committee.

Okla. governor seeks statewide vote on smoking ban (OK)
After the Oklahoma Senate rejected a bill to repeal preemption, Governor Mary Fallin announced that she will advocate for a statewide initiative on smoke-free air that will allow the public to determine whether to change the law in 2014. Fallin states that the ballot measure would give cities the authority to implement stricter smoke-free air laws. Oklahoma has one of the highest smoking rates in the country, and a law of this nature would aid in protecting the public from exposure to secondhand smoke. To read more, click here.

Senate OKs smoking definition to include hookah (SD)
The South Dakota Senate has approved a bill that would change the definition of smoking in their smoke-free air law to include water pipes and hookahs. This bill closes a loophole by changing how smoking is defined in the existing smoke-free air law since hookahs were not covered in the original language of the law. Click here to read more. Click here to track SB144 that has been passed in the Senate and sent to the House.

U.S. Virgin Islands bans smoking at protected beaches (USVI)
Smoking is now banned on all public beaches inside the national park system of the U.S. Virgin Islands. This bill applies to all twelve of the islands’ protected beaches. It will protect the public from exposure to secondhand smoke as well as reduce the disposal of cigarette and cigar butts on beaches. Click here to read more.

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