Title: The Basics of SHS Exposure
1The Basics of SHS Exposure
- Contains thousands of toxic substances, including
more than 62 known carcinogens - Leads to nearly 38,000 deaths each year among
adult nonsmokers in the United States - Causes asthma, bronchitis and colds
- Causes cardiovascular disease and cancer
2004 Surgeon Generals Report
2Death and Illness
- Causally associated
- Lung Cancer
- Nasal/ Sinus Cancer
- Correlated with
- Cervical Cancer - Lymphomas
- Bladder Cancer - Leukemia
- Breast Cancer - Brain Tumors
- Stomach Cancer
ETS is a Group A Carcinogen, containing the most
potent cancer-causing agents such as benzene,
asbestos, arsenic and vinyl chloride.
NCI, 1999
2004 Surgeon Generals Report
3Death and Illness
- Heart disease death
- Acute and chronic heart disease
Exposure to secondhand smoke is estimated to
increase the risk of heart disease in
nonsmokers by 30, causing an estimated 35,000
to 62,000 deaths a year due to ischemic heart
disease. NCI, 1999
2004 Surgeon Generals Report
4Effects of Exposure on Your Heart
- In a study of effects of smoking ban on heart
attack rates among bartenders in Helena, Montana
researchers found a 40 drop in heart attacks in
the year after the ban was in effect. - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
recommends that anyone at risk of heart disease
should avoid any exposure to secondhand smoke.
5 minutes of exposure smoking 1 cigarette 8
hours smoking 1 pack
British Medical Journal, April 2004
5Secondhand Smoke and Youth Exposure
- Asthma and respiratory infections
- Recurrent ear infections and tonsillitis
- Tooth decay and cavities
- Decreased reading, math, logic skills
- Household fires
- Ingestion of poison
- Predictor of smoking behavior
6Health Effects of Exposure During Pregnancy
- Low birth weight
- Premature birth
- Decreased lung function
- Predispose children to long-term pulmonary risks
- Spontaneous abortion
- Perinatal mortality
2004 Surgeon Generals Report
7How does SHS affect the health of North
Carolinians?
8Pop Quiz
You Do the Math! Exposure to secondhand smoke
kills over 38,000 people nationwide every year.
How many people will die today?
9Steps to Reduce Exposure to SHS
- Maintain a smoke-free home and vehicle
- By not allowing anyone to smoke in the home you
can reduce the harmful effects secondhand smoke
has on your children, make it less convenient for
your kids to smoke, and exemplify that smoking is
undesirable.1 - Advocate for childcare providers to adopt
enforce smoke-free policies. - When your home is smoke-free it will smell
better your food will taste better youll spend
less time, energy and money cleaning your
curtains, walls, mirrors and your insurance
rates may be lower (check with your insurance
company)
10Steps to Reduce Exposure to SHS
- Be sure your teen is working in a smoke-free
environment. In a national study of service
workers only 32 percent of teenage workers
reported that their place of employment was
smoke-free, the lowest rate of protection for any
other age group. - Advocate for smoke-free environments when you are
with your family. Even a little exposure to a
carcinogen can be harmful. Chose a smoke-free
restaurant, bowling alley, skating rink or family
fun center. If the place is not smoke-free be
sure to let the managers know why you are
choosing to take your family to another
establishment.
11Footnotes
- 1. Farkas A, et al. Does parental smoking
cessation discourage adolescent smoking.
Preventive Medicine. 1999. Mar 28(3)213-8. - 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
2003. Secondhand Smoke in Your Home. Tobacco
Information and Prevention Source (TIPS).
National Center For Chronic Disease Prevention
and Health Promotion. Center for Disease Control
and Prevention. Available at http//www.cdc.gov/t
obacco/research_data/environmental/etsfact3.htm.
Referenced on Nov 20, 2003. - 3. Grimes J, et al. 1989. Educational factors
influencing adolescent decision-making regarding
use of alcohol and drugs. Journal of Alcohol
Drug Education. Fall 351-15. - 4. Gerlach K, Shopland D, Hartman A, Gibson J and
Pechacek T. 2003. Workplace smoking policies in
the US Results from a national survey of more
than 100,000 workers. Tobacco Control. Vol.
6199-206.