6 Major Conclusions
of the Surgeon General Report
1) 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.
2) Secondhand smoke exposure causes disease and premature death in children and adults who do not smoke.
3) 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 their children.
4) Exposure of adults to secondhand smoke has immediate adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and causes coronary heart disease and lung cancer.
5) The scientific evidence indicates that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
6) 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.
US Department of Health and Human Services, “the Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General”, US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, National Center for Chronic disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office of Smoking and Health, 2006.
Office of the Surgeon General
www.surgeongeneral.gov
“The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke” (2006)
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Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke
“Secondhand smoke exposure has immediate adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and causes coronary heart disease. “
• Aributes to 46,000 premature deaths due to heart disease in the US per year
• Increases the risk of non-smokers by 25-30% of having heart disease
• “Breathing secondhand smoke can have immediate adverse effects on your blood and blood vessels, increasing the risk of having a heart attack.”
• The functioning of the heart, blood and vascular systems are negatively impacted
• Blood platelets become sticker and the lining of blood vessels becomes damaged from brief exposure to secondhand smoke
• “Secondhand smoke causes lung cancer in adults who themselves have never smoked.”
• Non-smokers increased the risk of lung cancer by 20-30% by being exposed to secondhand smoke
• 34,000 lung cancer deaths among non-smokers per year in the US are attributed to exposure to secondhand smoke
“Non-Smokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke are inhaling many of the same cancer-causing substances and poisons as smokers.”
• There are more than 50 cancer causing chemicals in secondhand smoke
• Even brief exposure to secondhand smoke can damage cells to initiate the lung cancer process and some cell damage is non-reversible
• The longer and the more intense the exposure to secondhand smoke the greater the risk of developing lung cnacer
• “SIDS- the sudden unexplained, unexpected death of an infant in the first year of life-is the leading cause of death in otherwise healthy infants. Secondhand smoke increases the risk of SIDS.”
• Pregnant women who smoke increase their risk of SIDS
• Infants who are exposed to secondhand smoke are at increased risk of SIDS
• Chemicals in secondhand smoke can affect the part of an infant’s brain that regulates the child’s breathing
• Infants who die from SIDS have higher levels of nicotine in their lungs and higher levels of cotinine (an indicator of secondhand smoke exposure) than infants who die from other causes
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov
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Resources for Quitting Tobacco
1) DHMC
DHMC Tobacco Dependence Treatment Clinic is held every Tuesday & Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the DHMC Health Education Center on Level 4 East Mall. Come in for a no cost appointment by calling (601)-653-9456 or Drop-ins are welcome.
DHMC Living Free of Tobacco Support Group sponsored by Dartmouth-Hitchcock Tobacco Treatment Clinic. The Free and information group meetings run from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., on the second Wednesday of every month, in the DHMC Health Education Center, Level 4, East mall.
This group is for anyone who has quit tobacco or is considering quitting tobacco.
Are your struggling with health problems?
Quitting tobacco is the best thing you can do for your health. Does Smoking rule your life?
Please join us and call 603-653-9456 to register. Drop-ins welcome.
www.dhmc.org/goto/quit_smoking
2) Mt Ascutney Hospital and Health Center
3) Gifford Medical Center
Gifford's tobacco cessation program holds an on-going support group/class that meets every Weds. evening from 5:30-6:30pm. People who are thinking about quitting can come anytime. Anyone who joins the group and sets a quit date can receive free patches, gum or lozenges shipped directly to their home. www.giffordmed.org
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