Recent News and Articles on the Keywords: smoke + secondhand + 0.20  Related to the article below (Last Update: 8/5/2008)

New Albany closer to being smoke free New Albany Tribune, IN - Council members who supported the ban pointed to statistics highlighting the dangers of secondhand smoke, including the 2006 US Surgeon General?s report ... Smoking ban gets first OK Louisville Courier-Journal, KY - Harris said research has shown there is "no risk-free" level of exposure to secondhand smoke, which he said is linked to a range of health problems. ... Editorial: Dallas should expand smoking ban to bars Dallas Morning News, TX - Aug 4, 2008 They'll dismiss the dangers of secondhand smoke as overblown. And they will argue that no one is forced to patronize smoke-choked businesses. ... State Journal Kanawha bar owners plan to picket health department over smoking ban Charleston Gazette, WV - Aug 4, 2008 "Our decision was based on scientific evidence that secondhand smoke is dangerous," she said. "We can't continue to expose people to secondhand smoke. ... Bar Owners Protest Smoking Ban WSAZ-TV all 12 news articles » Tobacco Use a Deadly Choice for Millions Worldwide NewsBlaze, CA - Tobacco smoking affects not only the smoker, but also those in the vicinity of the smoker. Exposure to secondhand smoke, either at the home or in the ... Lexington council could halt indoor smoking in October Myrtle Beach Sun News, SC - "Secondhand smoke is not safe," said Councilman Ted Stambolitis, who doesn't allow it at his Flight Deck restaurant. "A smoking ban does nothing but help ... Weston blocks local smoking ban, favors statewide change Wausau Daily Herald, WI - Both spoke in favor of a comprehensive smoking ban in the village, citing health concerns. "There is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke. ... Weston smoking ban on the table at meeting tonight Wausau Daily Herald all 5 news articles » Dothan Eagle Smoking becomes a business issue for proprietors, health issue for ... Dothan Eagle, AL - ... that someone would light up ? they have allergies, didn?t want to smell of cigarette smoke, or didn?t want to expose their children to secondhand smoke. ... Judge denies injunction on smoking ban Quad City Times, IA - ?The goal was obviously to protect as many Iowans and Iowa workplaces from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke, and that will continue because of the ... Vote looms on local smoking ordinance Rock Hill Herald, SC - "I don't want to have one of my arteries shut off because I'm exposed to secondhand smoke. It's a public health issue." A counterargument comes from Peggy ...

Children are Hurt by Secondhand Smoke

• Secondhand smoke contains more than 250 chemicals known to be toxic or carcinogenic (cancer-causing), including formaldehyde, benzene, vinyl chloride, arsenic, ammonia, and hydrogen cyanide. Children who are exposed to secondhand smoke are inhaling many of the same cancer-causing substances and poisons as smokers.

Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke in Children

• Because their bodies are developing, infants and young children are especially vulnerable to the poisons in secondhand smoke.
  
  
• Both babies whose mothers smoke while pregnant and babies who are exposed to secondhand smoke after birth are more likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) than babies who are not exposed to cigarette smoke.
  
  
• Mothers who are exposed to secondhand smoke while pregnant are more likely to have lower birth weight babies, which makes babies weaker and increases the risk for many health problems.
  
  
• Babies whose mothers smoke while pregnant or who are exposed to secondhand smoke after birth have weaker lungs than other babies, which increases the risk for many health problems.
  
  
• Secondhand smoke exposure causes acute lower respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia in infants and young children.
  
  
• Secondhand smoke exposure causes children who already have asthma to experience more frequent and severe attacks.
  
  
• Secondhand smoke exposure causes respiratory symptoms, including cough, phlegm, wheeze, and breathlessness, among school-aged children.
  
  
• Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at increased risk for ear infections and are more likely to need an operation to insert ear tubes for drainage.
  
  

Exposure to Secondhand Smoke Among Children

• The Surgeon General has concluded that there is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure. Even brief exposures can be harmful.
  
  
• On average, children are exposed to more secondhand smoke than nonsmoking adults.
  
  
• Based on levels of cotinine (a biological marker of secondhand smoke exposure), an estimated 22 million children aged 3-11 years and 18 million youth aged 12-19 years, were exposed to secondhand smoke in the United States in 2000.
  
  
• Children aged 3-11 years and youth aged 12-19 years are significantly more likely than adults to live in a household with at least one smoker.
  
  
• Children aged 3-11 years have cotinine levels more than twice as high as nonsmoking adults.
  
  
• Children who live in homes where smoking is allowed have higher cotinine levels than children who live in homes where smoking is not allowed.