The number of nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke has dropped dramatically over the past five years, but the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention says 58 million people are still regularly exposed.
According to Tom Frieden, MD, MPH, director of the CDC, the number of people exposed to secondhand smoke has been cut in half over the past half decade, but one in four nonsmokers are still at risk.
“Secondhand smoke continues to expose too many people,” said Frieden. “These are preventable harms, and going smoke-free can prevent a wide range of problems.”
Frieden said the one in four metric isn’t the same across all ages and demographics. According to the statistics:
- Two in five children are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke.
- Seven in 10 African American children at still exposed.
- One in three people who rent their housing unit are regularly exposed.
- Two in five below the poverty level are exposed to secondhand smoke.
Exposure to secondhand smoke can cause a host of medical problems for people of all ages. Previous research found that children exposed to secondhand smoke can develop respiratory problems like asthma or bronchitis, and adult exposure can lead to heart disease, stoke and high cholesterol.
Although 58 million Americans are still regularly exposed to secondhand smoke, researchers commended the improvements over the last decade. In 1999, about one in two nonsmokers were exposed to secondhand smoke. The drop in secondhand exposure rates have been credited to many states eliminating smoking in public places like restaurants and bars, and increased efforts by government and public agencies to spread awareness about the health problems associated with smoking.
Numbers could drop even farther if the 14 states who don’t currently have indoor smoking restrictions decide to put some laws in place. The 14 states with no indoor smoking regulations are Alabama, Alaska, California, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming,
Dr. Silverman Comments
It’s encouraging to hear that secondhand smoke exposure rates have dropped so significantly over the past decade. We’ve regularly blogged about how damaging smoking is to your health, and secondhand smoke is no different.
As smoking rates decline, so will secondhand smoke exposure. Hopefully some of the more lax states will step up their game and pass some legislation to protect nonsmokers.
Related Source: Cleveland Clinic, CDC