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DANGERS OF SECONDHAND SMOKE
REDUCING EXPOSURE TO SECONDHAND SMOKE
WORKPLACE
HOMES, APARTMENTS AND CONDOS
SMOKE-FREE CARS
PARKS AND BEACHES
WHAT CALIFORNIANS THINK ABOUT SECONDHAND SMOKE
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
It is especially important for families with children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with chronic illnesses to avoid secondhand smoke.
- The U.S. Surgeon General says there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke exposure is toxic and causes cancer, heart disease, adult and childhood asthma and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/sgr/sgr_2006/index.htm
- In 2006, the California Air Resources Board classified secondhand smoke as a "Toxic Air Contaminant" in the same category as asbestos, cyanide, arsenic, and car exhaust which can lead to serious illness and death.
http://www.arb.ca.gov/toxics/ets/factsheetets.pdf
- Scientific studies show that in multi-unit housing such as apartments and condominiums, secondhand smoke seeps into and out of open windows and doors, shared ventilation systems, ceiling crawl spaces and gaps around electrical wiring, light fixtures, plumbing, ductwork and even baseboards.
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/secondhandsmoke/
- Stanford University researchers studied how smoking affects air quality at places like sidewalk cafés and park benches. The researchers found that a nonsmoker sitting a few feet downwind from a smoldering cigarette is likely to be exposed to substantial levels of contaminated air.
http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2007/may9/smoking-050907.html
http://news-service.stanford.edu/pr/2007/pr-smoke-050907.html
- More than 4,000 chemicals have been identified in secondhand tobacco smoke. At least 250 are known to be harmful, and 50 of these are known to cause cancer.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Tobacco/ETS
WORKPLACE
FACTS:
California is proud to call itself "America's Largest Non-smoking Section." California was the first state in the U.S. to ban smoking in indoor workplaces, including restaurants and bars. Since the California Smoke-free Workplace Law went into effect in 1995, survey after survey has shown that Californians support the state's smoke-free law and have significantly benefited from it—even smokers.
- More than 90 percent of Californians surveyed in 2006, including the majority of smokers, said they approve of the smoke-free workplace law. (California Adult Tobacco Survey, 2006)
- 52 percent of smokers who quit in the past 10 years said that having smoke-free public places made it easier for them to quit smoking. (Field Research Corporation Survey 2004)
- 69 percent of current smokers who attempted to quit in the past 10 years said that smoke-free public places helped them reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke. (Field Research Corporation Survey 2004)
- Revenue data from California's business, labor and hospitality industries confirm that smoke-free workplaces and bars have not hurt business because Californians and visitors to the state have come to expect and prefer smoke-free environments. (D. Cowling and P. Bond, Smoke-free laws and bar revenues in California - the last call. Health Economics, 2005, vol. 14, issue 12, pages 1273-1281)
Smoke-free Dining:
Californians prefer eating at smoke-free restaurants. Cities and counties throughout the state are adopting smoke-free outdoor dining policies for areas such as cafes and patios.
Thanks to California's strong public health protections, millions of Californians—young and old, smokers and nonsmokers—are living healthier lives, and a new generation of youth is growing up in a tobacco-free world.
In fact, in 2006, 94 percent of Californians said they preferred dining in a smoke-free restaurant, including more than 80 percent of smokers (82 percent), which is a drastic increase from 1994, when only 43 percent of smokers preferred smoke-free restaurants. (California Adult Tobacco Survey, 2006)
Indian (tribal) Casinos:
The California Smoke-free Workplace Law (1995) makes it illegal to smoke in enclosed workspaces which includes non-tribal gaming clubs. However tribal gaming clubs (casinos) are operated by sovereign governments, therefore they do not have to comply with California law unless stated in the "Compact" between state and local governments. As a result, employees of California Indian gaming facilities are still exposed to the dangers of toxic secondhand smoke.
Lack of protection from secondhand smoke exposure can cause illnesses and premature death for casino workers.
- Exposure on a regular basis to secondhand smoke at work can cause a 91 percent increase in coronary heart disease. (J. Repace, Smoke-Free Casino Advocacy Guide, American Indian Tobacco Education Partnership, April 2004)
- A 1998 study revealed that casino workers in a "well ventilated" casino still had levels of cotinine (a by-product of nicotine) that were 300-600 percent higher than in workers in smoke-free workplaces during a comparable work shift. (D. Trout, J. Decker et al. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, March 1998)
- The air in smoky casinos contains up to 50 times more cancer-causing airborne particles than highways and city streets clogged with diesel trucks at rush hour. These cancer-causing agents are virtually eliminated when indoor smoking bans are instituted. (J. Repace, Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, September, 2004)
Support for Smoke-free Tribal Casinos:
- In 2006, more than 72 percent of Californians would support a law banning smoking in Indian casinos. More than 90 percent of Californians (92.1 percent) would either be more likely to visit Indian casinos or not change the likelihood of visiting an Indian casino, including nearly 30 percent who would be more likely to visit. (California Adult Tobacco Survey, 2006)
- Nearly 75 percent of California smokers said it would make no difference to their visits to Indian casinos if smoking was prohibited. (California Adult Tobacco Survey, 2006)
Additional Information:
HOMES, APARTMENTS AND CONDOMINIUMS
FACTS:
Californians are continuing to protect themselves from secondhand smoke in their homes:
 In 2006, 76 percent of Californians supported a policy that requires at least half of apartment complex units being smoke-free. This is a significant increase from 63 percent in 2001. More notably, 63 percent of smokers support policy to make some apartment units smoke-free, a sharp increase from 44 percent in 2001. (California Adult Tobacco Survey, 2006; Field Research Corporation Survey 2001, 2004)
- The percent of all homes with a no-smoking policy in 2005 is 78 percent, a 54 percent increase since 1993. (California Tobacco Survey, 2005)
- Household smoking bans in homes with young children (0-5 years) and with at least one smoker in the home have increased from 43 percent in 1993 to nearly 80 percent in 2005. (California Tobacco Survey, 2005)
- While more Californians are protected from secondhand smoke in their home, many living in apartments and condos are still exposed to toxic air from their neighbor's smoking. Drifting secondhand smoke impacts those nearby, inside or outside, and even those in adjacent apartments.
- More than 30 percent of California's housing is multi-unit residences such as apartments and condos. In this type of housing, scientific studies show that secondhand smoke can travel into and out of open windows and doors, shared ventilation systems and walls, ceiling crawl spaces, and gaps around electrical wiring, light fixtures, plumbing, ductwork and even baseboards.
Additional Information:
The following links provide information for apartment tenants and condo owners exposed to secondhand smoke:
The following links provide information for landlords:
SMOKE-FREE CARS
FACTS:
On January 1, 2008, a law went into effect which bans smoking in cars when there are children younger than 18 present. Those caught violating the law will face up to a $100 fine.
California is the third state to ban smoking in cars carrying minors, but the first with a policy that protects all children under 18. In 2006, Arkansas and Louisiana passed laws banning motorists from smoking in cars with children up to age 6 and 13 years old, respectively.
California residents are supportive of this new law. More than 90 percent of Californians surveyed in 2005 supported a law to ban smoking in cars when children are present, including nearly 90 percent of smokers. (California Tobacco Survey 2005)
The law was created to protect children who are particularly vulnerable to the dangerous effects of secondhand smoke. The air quality in a car where someone is smoking can reach nearly 10 times over the hazardous levels set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. (W. Ott, N. Klepeis, and P. Switzer, Air Change Rates of Motor Vehicles and In-Vehicle Pollutant Concentrations from Secondhand Smoke. Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology, 2007)
This level of air pollution in the vehicle caused by smoke from a cigarette is so severe that breathing it is dangerous for anyone. Children breathe quicker than adults, are still developing physically and have little or no control over their indoor environments. As a result, children exposed to secondhand smoke run a greater risk of damaging health effects.
- Children who breathe secondhand smoke on a regular basis are at a higher risk for middle ear infections.
- Exposure to secondhand smoke can cause asthma in children who have never previously shown any symptoms.
- Babies and children younger than age 6 who are exposed to secondhand smoke regularly are more likely to get respiratory track infections, such as pneumonia and bronchitis.
 On January 26, 2006, the California Air Resources Board declared secondhand smoke a "toxic air contaminant" putting it in the same category as car exhaust and asbestos. For more information on the California Air Resources Board identifying secondhand smoke as toxic. http://www.arb.ca.gov/newsrel/nr012606.htm
On June 27, 2006, the Surgeon General released a major report on involuntary exposure to secondhand smoke, concluding that secondhand smoke causes disease and death in children and nonsmoking adults. For more information on The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General visit http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/secondhandsmoke/
Additional Information:
PARKS AND BEACHES
FACTS:
Since 2003, a statewide smoking ban has prohibited smoking of tobacco products and disposal of tobacco-related waste within 25 feet of a playground or tot lot sandbox. (CA Health & Safety Code 104495)
Based on the Ocean Conservancy's 2006 Annual International Coastal Clean-up, more cigarette butts were collected than any other type of litter and cigarette butts accounted for almost one-fourth of all items collected. http://www.oceanconservancy.org
Many cities along California's coastline have created smoke-free beaches. Out of 80 miles of Los Angeles County coastline, approximately 77 miles (96 percent) are covered by policies that make it illegal to smoke on public beaches. (Source: Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Web site)
Additional Information:
Californians are concerned about the dangers of secondhand smoke. Surveys show:
- Policies limiting the public's exposure to the harmful effects of secondhand smoke indoors are welcomed by a large majority (more than 93 percent) of Californians. (California Adult Tobacco Survey, 2006)
- More than 90 percent of Californians supported a law to ban smoking in cars when children are present, including nearly 90 percent of smokers. (California Tobacco Survey 2005)
 In 2006, 76 percent of Californians supported a policy that requires at least half of apartment complex units being smoke-free. This is a significant increase from 63 percent in 2001. More notably, 63 percent of smokers support policy to make some apartment units smoke-free, a sharp increase from 44 percent in 2001. (California Adult Tobacco Survey, 2006; Field Research Corporation Survey 2004)
- The percent of all homes with a no-smoking policy in 2005 is 78 percent, a 54 percent increase since 1993. (California Tobacco Survey, 2005)
- In 2006, more than 72 percent of Californians supported a law banning smoking in Indian casinos. More than 90 percent of Californians (92.1 percent) would either be more likely to visit Indian casinos or not change the likelihood of visiting an Indian casino, including nearly 30 percent who would be more likely to visit. (California Adult Tobacco Survey, 2006)
- A survey of tribal casino guests and staff in California revealed that 80 percent of guests, including 98 percent of nonsmokers, prefer to play or work in a smoke-free environment. (American Indian Tobacco Education Network, 2003)
- More than 90 percent of Californians surveyed in 2006, including the majority of smokers, said they approve of the smoke-free workplace law. (California Adult Tobacco Survey, 2006)
- A 2004 phone survey by the American Lung Association found that 69 percent of California apartment residents would favor requiring all apartment buildings to offer non-smoking sections and 67 percent would favor limiting smoking in outdoor common areas such as pool areas, entryways and courtyards.
- 52 percent of smokers who quit in the past 10 years said that having smoke-free public places made it easier for them to quit smoking. (Field Research Corporation Survey 2004)
- 69 percent of current smokers who attempted to quit in the past 10 years said that smoke-free public places helped them reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke. (Field Research Corporation Survey 2004)
Following are additional resources about secondhand smoke and its health effects:
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