Environmental Tobacco Smoke, also referred to as secondhand smoke, is both the smoke exhaled by smokers of cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, as well as the smoke and gases from the burning end of a cigarette, cigar, or pipe. Some people call exposure to secondhand smoke passive smoking or involuntary smoking because of the similarity in health hazards between those who are exposed to secondhand smoke and those who actually smoke cigarettes, cigars, and pipes.
Why do people feel so strongly about this issue? Secondhand smoke can cause lung cancer in nonsmokers and has been classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a cause of lung cancer. This designation is called a Group A carcinogen. Approximately 3000 nonsmokers die of lung cancer each year (US Environmental Protection Agency, 1993). For children, the health risks are even more serious. Young children living with smokers are affected as their lungs are developing. Infants and young children whose parents smoke are at high risk of respiratory infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis. Children exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to show symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and wheezing. Ear infections are more common among children whose parents smoke in the home and children with asthma are at even higher risk. The number and severity of cases of asthma among children increases due to passive smoking. Non-asthmatic children are in danger of developing the condition due to exposure to secondhand smoke. Eye, nose, and throat irritations can be caused by passive smoking as can lung irritations that lead to excess phlegm, chest discomfort and reduced lung function.
In the November 2002 general election, Floridians were asked to approve a constitutional amendment prohibiting smoking in the workplace. Article X, Section 20 was proposed to protect people from the health hazards of secondhand tobacco smoke by prohibiting workplace smoking. The Amendment passed and Florida is in the process of implementing the ruling. Here is the introductory paragraph of the Workplaces Without Tobacco Smoke amendment.
"WHEREAS, second-hand tobacco smoke is a known human carcinogen
(contains cancer-causing agents) for which there is no safe level of
exposure, and causes death and disease; WHEREAS, exposure to second-
hand tobacco smoke frequently occurs in the workplace; and WHEREAS,
ventilation and filtration systems do not remove the cancer-causing substances
from second-hand smoke; NOW, THEREFORE, to protect people from
the health hazards of second-hand tobacco smoke, the citizens of Florida
Section 20 lists the prohibition, exceptions, and definitions that comprise the amendment and explain where and when the prohibitions are appropriate and enforced.
How can you protect yourself and reduce the risks associated with passive smoking? Here are some suggestions for smokers and nonsmokers.
Ask others not to smoke in your home.
Open windows or use exhaust fans if someone in your home smokes.
Ask to sit in a designated area as far from smokers as you can if you are in a restaurant or other public place where smoking is allowed.
Check your community ordinances and state laws regarding smoking in public places.
Help educate others about the dangers of passive smoking.
Contact the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the National Cancer Institute, the Office on Smoking and Health/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Cancer Society, and other health-related agencies to gather as much information as you can for yourself and for others.
Read Article X, Section 20 for State of Florida definitions of smoking, secondhand smoke, designated smoking establishments, and other terms related to secondhand smoke.
