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Secondhand Smoke
March 2008
Secondhand smoke affects everyone
Smoking is not just an issue of personal health for smokers; it
is a public health issue that concerns everyone. People exposed to
secondhand smoke greatly increase their risk of developing lung cancer,
heart disease, asthma, bronchitis, ear infections, pneumonia, croup, and
sore throats. Every year, about
3,000 adult nonsmokers die from lung cancer and 35,000 from heart
disease nationwide.
Children are particularly susceptible to
secondhand smoke. Exposing infants to secondhand smoke increases
their chances of getting respiratory diseases, ear infections, asthma,
and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Between 7,500 and 15,000
infants in the United States are hospitalized each year as a result of
such diseases.
Washington laws help control secondhand smoke
The Washington Clean Indoor Air Act of 1985 (RCW 70.160) was
revised in December 2005 after voters approved Initiative 901. The
new, comprehensive law prohibits smoking in all indoor public
places, including restaurants, bars, taverns, bowling alleys, skating
rinks, non-tribal casinos, and in all places of employment (any place
employees must pass through during the course of employment). In
addition, it prohibits smoking within 25 feet of entrances, exits,
windows that open, and ventilation intakes that serve indoor public
places or places of employment.
Tobacco Program
tackles secondhand smoke
The Tobacco Prevention and
Control Program (Tobacco Program) assists local health jurisdictions,
Educational Service Districts, federally recognized tribes, higher-risk
population groups and others across Washington in addressing secondhand
smoke issues, enforcing the revised state law, and developing local
tobacco policies. In addition, the Tobacco Program collaborates
with statewide partners and
national organizations
working toward similar goals.
Helping people quit
The Tobacco Program provides free, individualized counseling
and assistance to people who want to quit using tobacco through the
Washington Tobacco Quit Line. Residents can call the quit line
toll-free at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit
www.quitline.com for more information.
Public awareness
The Tobacco Program has conducted statewide media campaigns
featuring ads to discourage people from smoking around others,
particularly around children (www.doh.wa.gov/tobacco/media/secondhandcampaign.htm).
Current outreach efforts include targeted approaches to reaching
specific groups with educational messages about the dangers of
secondhand smoke exposure, and working with property managers and
housing associations to develop no-smoking rental policies.
Evaluation
Through surveys and analysis of data from multiple sources, the
Tobacco Program evaluates the impact of revised state clean indoor air
laws on the health of Washington residents, and identifies the risk of
exposure to secondhand smoke from sources not covered by state law, such
as homes and vehicles.
A comprehensive approach to fighting tobacco use
Research shows that tobacco prevention programs must conduct a
comprehensive set of strategies to be effective. The Washington
State Tobacco Prevention and Control Program provides services to help
people quit, conducts public awareness and media campaigns, supports
local programs in communities and schools, supports enforcement of
policies to keep kids from accessing tobacco products, and evaluates the
effectiveness of program activities.
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