Secondhand Smoke

Research

Heart disease mortality risks associated with environmental tobacco smoke exposure in the United States
A recent article in Nicotine & Tobacco Research presents an analysis of data from a large-scale national study, the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) to determine the association between environmental tobacco smoke and mortality risk. The results of the study reveal an association between high environmental tobacco smoke exposure and heart disease mortality risk among never-smokers. These findings indicate a need for strict policies to limit environmental tobacco exposure. To read the study abstract, click here.

The pattern of indoor smoking restriction law transitions, 1970–2009: New laws should be comprehensive
A new report in American Journal of Public Health aims to understand the pattern of passage, defined as the evolution of laws that provide population-level protection from secondhand smoke, and strength of smoking laws in states and localities. Researchers conducted transition analyses of local and state smoking restrictions in restaurants, bars, government workplaces, and private workplaces as recorded by the Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights Ordinance Database. Researchers found an increase in the number of smoking laws that had passed, from 18 in the 1970s to 3172 in the 2000s. The findings show most new local and state laws did not change the strength of existing smoke-free laws, suggesting that once laws are passed, it is very difficult to go back to lawmakers to strengthen them. The study concludes that all new smoke-free laws should be comprehensive. To view the study abstract, click here.

Changes in smoking behaviors following a smoke-free legislation in parks and on beaches: An observational study
An article in the July issue of Health Affairs explores the effectiveness of outdoor smoke-free laws in parks and on beaches. Researchers at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health measured changes in observed smoking rates in selected parks and beaches from before the smoke-free law implementation to 12 months post law. Results of the study show a significant decrease in observed smoking rates among all venues and suggest the potential of smoke-free laws to decrease smoking in parks and beaches. Researchers note this study is one of few published studies to examine compliance with smoke-free policies in parks and beaches. Future research is recommended to more fully understand the changing pattern of smoking behavior due to smoke-free laws in outdoor areas. Currently, smoking bans have been implemented in 843 parks and 150 beaches in the U.S. To read more about the study, click here. Click here to view the full article.

top

Reports

Smokefree lists, maps, and data
The Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation has released the most recent quarterly update to the lists and maps of U.S. municipalities and states with smoke-free laws. The updated lists and maps include various categories of venue-specific ordinances. The quarterly update also includes maps and lists of laws pertaining to local youth access, advertising and conditional use permit laws, which were made possible by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Public Health Law Research Program. Visit here to view the updated data, lists and maps.

Federal report shows drop in proportion of children in US population exposed to secondhand smoke
A new national report issued by the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics, a workgroup with representation from 22 government agencies, shows cigarette smoking has hit the lowest point ever recorded among American eighth-graders and high school sophomores and seniors. The report also shows the percentage of children ages 4-11 with detectable blood cotinine, a measure of secondhand smoke, has dropped from 53% in 2007-2008 to 42% in 2009-2010. Titled “America’s Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, 2013” the report is in its sixteenth ongoing series and presents key indicators of children’s wellbeing in seven domains including family and social environment, economic circumstances, health care, physical environment and safety, behavior, education, and health. Tobacco taxes, smoke-free laws and comprehensive tobacco control programs have all contributed to this decline. Click here to read more about the report or click here to view a press release from the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics. To view the full report, click here.

Iowa smoke-free air law marks five-year anniversary (IA)
This July marked the five year anniversary since the 2008 Iowa Smokefree Air Act was implemented, requiring smoke-free workplaces and public places. As a result of the 2008 law, and a $1.00/pack cigarette tax increase in 2007, researchers have noted that there have been 17,500 fewer tobacco-related hospitalizations and $240 million have been saved in hospital costs. Also, the report indicates an increase in overall state licenses for bars in 2009 and 2010, and the current total number of licenses is about 550 higher than on July 1, 2008, evidence that the smoke-free law did not harm the economy. Click here to read more.

NY indoor smoking ban has changed much in 10 years (NY)
This month marks the 10th anniversary of the passage of New York State’s Clean Indoor Air Act. The Act passed in 2003 and prohibited smoking in all workplaces, including restaurants and bars. This was a landmark decision in public health and has been credited with saving thousands of lives. While the law initially cost jobs and businesses, it did not have the long term negative economic impact that industry initially feared. By 2005, a poll showed 80% of New Yorkers supported the law. In the decade ending in 2009, smoking among New York adults declined from 22% to 17%, and the share of smokers seeking to quit increased to 65% from 54%. Read more about the history of New York State Clean Indoor Air Act here.

top

State Policy

D.C. Council gives initial approval to new public smoking ban (DC)
The D.C. Council recently passed an initial vote that would ban cigarette smoking within 25 feet of parks, trails, community centers and all bus stops in the District of Columbia. The bill will not affect cigarette smoking regulations around federal parks and properties. If passed, the bill will build upon a 2006 measure that requires smoke-free workplaces. The bill will undergo a second vote in September and, if passed, will place D.C. among 300 other cities that do not allow smoking in or near parks. To read more, click here. Click here to track B.20-095.

Cuomo signs smoke-free playground bill (NY)
Earlier this month, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill enacting a statewide ban on cigarette smoking at playgrounds during daylight hours if a child under the age of twelve is present; however, it does not provide an enforcement mechanism. The bill will not prevent municipalities from enacting stricter smoke-free air laws. Click here to read more.

top

Back to Table of Contents