Secondhand Smoke Causes Immediate Harm: Surgeon General

Smoke-filled rooms are even more dangerous than you might have thought, according to a new report issued June 27 by U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona.

According to the report The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke, nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke at home or work increase their risk of developing heart disease by 25 to 30 percent and lung cancer by 20 to 30 percent. Even brief exposure to secondhand smoke can cause immediate harm, says the report, which contends that the only way to protect nonsmokers is to eliminate smoking from all indoor spaces.

"The good news is that, unlike some public health hazards, secondhand smoke exposure is easily prevented," Surgeon General Carmona said. "Smoke-free indoor environments are proven, simple approaches that prevent exposure and harm." The report finds that even the most sophisticated ventilation systems cannot completely eliminate secondhand smoke exposure and that only smoke-free environments afford full protection.

Not scared yet? The report shows that exposure to secondhand smoke can cause heart disease and lung cancer in nonsmoking adults and is a known cause of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), respiratory problems, ear infections, and asthma attacks in infants and children.

Also See: Smoking-related Deaths Cost U.S. $92 Billion a Year