INDIANAPOLIS - At a time when Indiana is receiving national attention for its progress in adopting local smoke free workplace policies, the U.S. Surgeon General's Report concludes there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
The report, "The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke," finds that even brief secondhand smoke exposure can cause immediate harm. The report says the only way to protect nonsmokers from the dangerous chemicals in secondhand smoke is to eliminate smoking indoors.
One of the report's major findings is that smoking rooms, smoking sections and even the most sophisticated ventilation systems cannot eliminate the health risks attributable to secondhand smoke.
"This report reinforces the message that tobacco control advocates have been trying to get across to policy makers for years," said Nicole Toran, Coordinator of the Clark/Floyd County Minority Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Coalition.
Indiana: Headed in the Right Direction
"The good news is that Indiana is headed in the right direction. More and more municipalities are adopting local smoke free air laws and more worksites are implementing smoke free air policies. This is very encouraging because the evidence shows these policies save lives," says Karla Sneegas, executive director, Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation.
Over the past year, southern Indiana communities have made significant strides in eliminating involuntary exposure to secondhand smoke and creating healthier work environments. On June 14, Jeffersonville joined a growing number of Indiana cities that have enacted smoke-free workplace laws.
"The Surgeon General's report proves that the Jeffersonville City Council did the right thing last November when it voted to restrict smoking in workplaces," said Vanessa Smith, Coordinator of the Clark County Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Coalition. "Jeffersonville is ahead of the curve in southern Indiana when it comes to protecting employee health."
On Saturday, Greater Clark County School Corporation will implement a tobacco-free campus policy, as will Clark Memorial Hospital in Jeffersonville and Floyd Memorial Hospital in New Albany. Southern Indiana Rehab Hospital in New Albany and Harrison County Hospital in Corydon will implement their tobacco-free campus policies on Jan. 1.
"Our area hospitals have taken a huge step forward in setting a positive example as health care providers for the community by completely eliminating secondhand smoke from their campuses," said MeriBeth Adams-Wolf, Coordinator for Floyd County Tobacco Prevention & Cessation Coalition.
Currently, 23 Indiana municipalities have adopted smoke free ordinances. Of those, 15 meet the criteria known to be effective in eliminating health hazards from secondhand smoke as established in the Surgeon General's report. All told, more than one-third of the Hoosier population is protected by such laws; compared to just 3 percent in 2000. In the wake of these achievements, Indiana recently received an award from the Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights (ANR) for the state having the third most 100 percent smoke-free ordinances (in the U.S.) adopted in 2005.
"This award illustrates the success we've made but it also shows the distance we have to go to continue reducing the disease and death caused by exposure to secondhand smoke," adds Sneegas, noting that over 50,000 people die annually from secondhand smoke.
In addition to being well-timed to the progress being made in Indiana, Sneegas says, "...this report, once and for all, ends the debate about whether exposure to secondhand smoke is a cause of serious diseases and death".
The major conclusions of the Surgeon General's report revealed:
-Secondhand smoke causes premature death and disease in children and in adults who do not smoke;
-The scientific evidence indicates that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke;
-Eliminating smoking in indoor spaces fully protects nonsmokers from exposure to secondhand smoke. Separating smokers from nonsmokers, cleaning the air, and ventilating buildings cannot eliminate exposures of nonsmokers to secondhand smoke.
-Many millions of Americans, both children and adults, are still exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes and workplaces despite substantial progress in tobacco control.
-Exposure of adults to secondhand smoke has immediate adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and causes coronary heart disease and lung cancer.
-Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), acute respiratory infections, ear problems and more severe asthma. Smoking by parents causes respiratory symptoms and slows lung growth in children.
The Surgeon General's report can be found online at the address: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/secondhandsmoke/
ITPC was created to oversee funding from Indiana's share of the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement from the tobacco industry. The Board oversees the state's tobacco prevention campaign, which includes media components, special youth features, enforcement, cessation initiatives and community programs. For more information log onto www.itpc.in.gov.
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