Facts

Did you know...

Secondhand smoke is a complex mixture of gases and particles that includes smoke from the burning cigarette, cigar, or pipe tip (sidestreamsmoke) and exhaled mainstream smoke.

Secondhand smoke contains at least 250 chemicals known to be toxic, including more than 50 that can cause cancer.

Secondhand smoke exposure causes heart disease and lung cancer in nonsmokingadults.

Breathing secondhand smoke has immediate harmful effects on the cardiovascular system that can increase the risk of heart attack. People who already have heart disease are at especially high risk.

Secondhand smoke exposure causes respiratory symptoms in children and slows their lung growth.

Secondhand smoke causes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), acute respiratory infections, ear problems, and more frequent and severe asthma attacks in children.

Thereis no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure. Even brief exposure can be dangerous.

the above facts taken from the Centers for Disease Control website

Fact Sheets on Secondhand Smoke

What's In Secondhand Smoke? (http://tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/pdf/0253.pdf)

The Science of Secondhand Smoke (http://no-smoke.org/pdf/SHS.pdf)

Workers Are Exposed (http://no-smoke.org/pdf/shsworkerhealth.pdf)

Health Impacts of Smoke-Free Policy

Heart Attacks and Secondhand Smoke (Helena, MT & Pueblo, CO Studies)

The Impact of a Smoke-Free Ordinance on the Health and Attitudes of Bartenders in Madison and Appleton, WI

Smoke-Free and the Economy

The results of all credible peer-reviewed studies show that smokefree policies and regulations do not have a negative impact on business revenues. Establishing smoke-free workplaces is the simplest and most cost effective way to improve worker and business health.

Appleton, WI - enacted a 100% smoke-free policy in 2005, population of 70,000 people
No closures of any bar on the city side of the Appleton border with neighboring communities. Opponents of smoke-free bars predicted a financial catastrophe and numerous closings for bars located adjacent to neighboring communities. However, data indicates that there has not been a single bar closure in those areas. This indicates people stay in their local community and do not "drive to smoke." (source - City Health Department - Appleton)

El Paso, TX - enacted a 100% smoke-free policy in 2002, population of 563,000 people
No decline in total restaurant or bar revenues occurred in El Paso, Texas, after the city's smoking ban was implemented on January 2, 2002. (source: CDC, 2002)