The Dangers of Secondhand Smoke
In 2006 The U.S. Surgeon General released the most comprehensive scientific report
ever produced on the health harms of secondhand smoke. The report states that "massive
and conclusive scientific evidence documents adverse effects of involuntary smoking on
children and adults, including cancer and cardiovascular diseases in adults, and adverse
respiratory effects in both children and adults." The report further concludes that
there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. The Health Consequences of
Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General. U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services. 2006.
Secondhand smoke kills 38,000 nonsmokers a year from heart disease and lung cancer.
CDC Annual Smoking-Attributable Mortality. Years of Potential Life Lost, and Economic costs-United States. 1995-1999. MMWR 2002.
Constant exposure to secondhand smoke at work or at home almost doubles the risk of having
a heart attack.
American Heart Association. Scientific position. At:
www.amwericanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifer=4521 Accessed September 21, 2006.
Nonsmoking restaurant and bar employees have about a 50% higher risk of lung cancer because
of their exposure to secondhand smoke in the workplace.
Siegel, Michael. Involuntary Smoking in the Restaurant Workplace: A Review of Employee
Exposure and Health Effects. Journal of the American Medical Association. 1993.
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