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Surgeon General’s Report on Secondhand Smoke Download By Section

On June 27, 2006, the U.S. Surgeon General released the first report on secondhand smoke in more than 20 years. The report concluded that there is no safe level of secondhand smoke and the only way to fully protect non-smokers from secondhand smoke is to completely eliminate indoor smoking.

Secondhand smoke has had a devastating toll on the health and safety of our country. More than 65,000 Americans die each year from exposure to secondhand smoke. In Illinois, 8 people die a day from exposure to secondhand smoke.

A number of cities, states and countries have already enacted smoke-free laws to protect non-smokers from the dangers of secondhand smoke. More than 20 countries, 17 states and 28 communities and 2 counties in Illinois have already gone smoke-free. The response from citizens and business owners has been overwhelmingly positive.

The Smoke-Free Illinois Coalition was established to ensure that all Illinois residents have the right to breathe clean, smoke-free air. The objective of this campaign is to educate people about the dangers of secondhand smoke and to promote a statewide, clean indoor air law that will protect the safety and health of all workers.








Health

Environmental Tobacco Smoke Study
Environmental Tobacco Smoke Study

Respiratory Effects Study
Respiratory Effects Study

Worker Health
Worker Health

Secondhand Smoke Facts
Secondhand Smoke Facts

 Featured Article:
Secondhand Smoke Kills.
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     The Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke

  • There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke
  • Secondhand smoke can cause sudden infant death syndrome
  • Secondhand smoke causes heart attacks, pneumonia, lung cancer, coronary heart disease, emphysema, acute respiratory infections, ear disease, and asthma
  • Secondhand smoke kills approximately 65,000 people annually in the United States
    (National Cancer Institute Monograph No 10, Preface)

  • Eight people in Illinois die everyday from exposure to secondhand smoke.
    (Centers for Disease Control, State Highlights 2002)

  • Secondhand smoke contains 69 cancer-causing agents and more than 4,000 toxic chemicals, including arsenic, carbon monoxide, and cyanide.
    (Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids)

  • Breathing secondhand smoke for even a short time can have immediate adverse effects on the cardiovascular system
  • Nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or at work increase their risk of developing heart disease by 25 - 30 percent.
  • Nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or at work increase their risk of developing lung cancer by 20 - 30 percent.
  • One eight hour shift in a smoky workplace is the equivalent of smoking 16 cigarettes
    (University of California at Berkeley School of Public Health)

    • Source
    Unless otherwise noted, all facts above from The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A report of the Surgeon General, 2006.

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Background Information: Facts Sheet and Q & A Douments:
Business Resources: Resources to Help You Go Smoke-Free Douments:
Positive Economic Data: Sales Tax Revenues Increase Douments:
New Survey: 73 Percent of Illinois Voters Support the Smoke Free Law! full press release and detailed results:


68% of Illinois voters support the General Assembly's decision to implement a comprehensive clean indoor air law

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