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SECONDHAND SMOKE (full view)
What is it? Secondhand smoke is released by the burning end of a cigarette, pipe or cigar, and exhaled from the lungs of smokers. This smoke is involuntarily inhaled by nonsmokers, lingers in the air hours after cigarettes have been extinguished, and can cause or exacerbate a wide range of adverse health effects, including cancer, respiratory infections, and asthma. Secondhand smoke contains at least 250 chemicals known to be toxic, including more than 50 that can cause cancer. Why is it harmful? In 2006, the Surgeon General determined that there are no safe levels of exposure to secondhand smoke. Even a small amount can cause severe illness and disease, and could lead to premature death. Nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or work increase their heart disease risk by 25-30% and their lung cancer risk by 20-30%. It is especially harmful to children; research indicates that it is a causative factor in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), acute respiratory infections, ear problems, and more frequent and severe asthma attacks. Opening a window is not enough. Smoke can linger in the air for hours after a cigarette has been extinguished; it can settle on clothing, carpets, drapes, and upholstery for hours, and cause severe asthma attacks even after the cigarette has been put out. Even outdoors, being close to a smoker puts one at risk. What should I do about it? If you're a smoker you have to make a conscious effort not to smoke around others. If you're a non-smoker, or have recently quit smoking, remember that the smoke of others can be the cause of illnesses that may manifest later in life. Take the initiative and ask others not to smoke around you, in your car, home, or work area. What are the laws about smoking in Hawaii and on campus? In 2006, the Hawaii State Legislature took a great leap in protecting the rights of workers by passing Smoke-Free legislation that protected all indoor workers from secondhand smoke. The law, which went into effect in November of 2006, protects workers in Hawaii by banning smoking in enclosed workspaces, including bars, restaurants, nightclubs, lounges, and offices, and within 20 feet of their entrances. For more information about the Hawaii smoke-free law, visit http://www.hawaiismokefree.com. The University of Hawaii has its own policies on smoking, in effect on all UH system campuses. To learn about the policy and where you can and cannot smoke, visit the UH Smoking Policy website. If you want to learn more about secondhand smoke, visit the Centers for Disease Control website. Sources: The American Lung Association, Centers for Disease Control, The Environmental Protection Agency
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