View the US Surgeon General's Report on Secondhand Smoke June 27, 2006   

The report states that secondhand smoke is particularly dangerous in children increasing the number and severity of asthma attacks and middle ear infections. Exposure of children to secondhand smoke range from 11.7% in Utah to 34.2% in Kentucky.

Secondhand smoke contains over 50 known carcinogen (causes cancer) and causes lung cancer and heart disease in non-smoking adults. Evidence indicates that there is a 25% to 30% increase in the risk of coronary heart disease from exposure to secondhand smoke.

In 2005 it is estimated that secondhand smoke kills 3000 non-smoking adults from lung cancer, 46,000 from coronary disease and 430 newborns from sudden infant death syndrome.

The Dangers of Secondhand Smoke
  
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Secondhand Smoke and Heart Disease

By far one of the greatest risk from exposure to secondhand smoke is to the heart and its effects may have been greatly underestimated.  It has been generally shown that a non-smoker living with a smoker has a 25% increased chance of developing heart disease.  Whincup P.H. et. al. (BMJ 329:200-205, 2004) found that heavy passive smoking (top three exposure quarters) had the same risk of developing major coronary artery disease as light active smoking (1-9 cigarettes per day).

Sargent, R.P.et. al. (BMJ 328:997-980, 2004) reported that in Helena Montana, during a six month smoking ban in pubic workplaces, that the number of admissions for acute myocardial infarction fell significantly.  Admissions fell from a total of 40 the year before to 24.  This was significant at a 95% confidence level.

Pechacek T.F. and Babb S (BMJ 328:980-983) reported that even small exposures to tobacco smoke increase the risk of ischemic heart disease (heart attack).  The mechanism  This is felt to be caused by inflammation, thrombosis and endothelial dysfunction.

The risk for heart disease is non-linear and even small exposures causes a significant risk.  Passive smoke exposure equal to 0.2 cigarettes per day causes a 30% increase in the rise of a heart attack in the passive smoker. At 5 cigarettes per day there is a 50% increase.  It takes more than 30 cigarettes per day to produce a is a 100% increase in risk.  Thus, most of the risk is incurred early one with low exposure levels.  Source: Law M.R. and Wald N. N. Prog Cardiovascular Disease 46:31-38, 2003. 

Research indicates that 30 minutes of typical exposure to secondhand smoke causes artery changes similar to that of an active smoker. Source: Otsuka R. et. al. JAMA 286:436-431,2001

Secondhand Smoke and Erectile Dysfunction

Secondhand Smoke, Smoke free Laws and Your Community Kentucky Center for Smoke-free Policy -- Dr. Ellen Hahn, DNS, RN  University of Kentucky School of Nursing   Excellent presentation on how to educate your community on the dangers of secondhand smoke and how to encourage the community to ban secondhand smoke in the workplace.

According to the American Cancer Society secondhand smoke each year can cause the following: 

In children, exposure to secondhand smoke has been associated with lower respiratory illness and increased rates of middle ear effusion, asthma, and sudden infant death syndrome.  Second hand smoke can also worsen sinusitis in children and effect the recovery after sinus surgery.  Ramadan et. al. has shown that children exposed to second hand smoke in their homes had a 70% chance of a successful surgery as children who lived in a smoke-free environment had a 90% chance of a successful surgery.    View Article

Researches has shown an association between secondhand smoke and low levels of interleukin-10 in infants, an anti-inflammation protein which helps to protect against asthma and allergies.   Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, April 2004

Ref:  American Academy of Pediatrics: Committee on Environmental Health; 
Environmental Tobacco Smoke: A Hazard to Children. PEDIATRICS Vol. 99, No. 4, April 1997, pp. 639-642.   View Article

In Somerset Kentucky the following restaurants are 100% smoke free:

For a complete list of Smoke Fee Legislation in the United States, Go To:  http://www.smokefreeworld.com/usa.shtml

References:

(1)  American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures 2002. Atlanta, GA.

(2)  Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. Current Intelligence Bulletin 54: Environmental Tobacco Smoke in the Workplace - Lung Cancer and Other Health Effects. (Publication No. 91-108) [Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nasd/docs2/as73000.html . Accessed 4/6/01.]

(3)  Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. NHANES III, published in Journal of the American Medical Association, April 24, 1996.

(4)  Environmental Protection Agency. Respiratory Health Effects of Passive Smoking: Lung Cancer and Other Disorders. Washington, DC: Environmental Protection Agency; 1992. (Report # EPA/600/6-90/006F)

(5)  Glantz, Stanton. "Tobacco Biology and Politics," Health Edco, 1992.

(6)  Patten, et al. "Workplace Smoking Policy and Changes in Smoking Behavior in California: A Suggested Association," Tobacco Control 1995; 4: 36-41.

(7)  Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Involuntary Smoking: A Report of the Surgeon General. Washington, DC: Department of Health and Human Services; 1986. (Publication # HPS 87-8398)

(8)  Wall Street Journal, March 28, 1995, A10.

(9)  Schroeder, SA.  Tobacco Control in the Wake of he 1998 Master Settlement Agreement.  NEJM  Jan 11, 2004  Vol 350: 293-301   View Full Text of Article

(10)  EPS's Report on Respiratory Health Effects of Passive Smoking:  Lung Cancer and Other Disorders    View Full Text Version of Report