It has been more than 4 decades ago since smoking was proven to cause lung cancer and other serious diseases. Almost at the same time, the negative perception that second hand smoke can cause serious disease and premature death in both adults and children have been confirmed. Thanks to the report of the United States Surgeon General entitled “The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke,” it has strengthened our view on the ill effects of cigarettes to people who smoke as well as to those who do not smoke.
The report came up with major conclusions on the health risks of second hand smoke, such as:
Second hand smoke is a proven cause of lung cancer and heart disease in non-smoking adults and of sudden infant death syndrome, low birth weight, acute respiratory infections, ear infections and asthma attacks in infants and children. It is responsible for tens of thousands of deaths in the United States of America each year.
There is no risk-free level of exposure to second hand smoke.
Exposure to second hand smoke has substantial and immediate adverse effects on cardiovascular and respiratory health.
Second hand smoke contains more than 50 carcinogens
Comprehensive smoke-free workplace policies are the only effective way to protect non-smokers from second hand smoke. Other approaches, such as air ventilation systems, and smoking and non-smoking sections of rooms, are not effective and do not not eliminate exposure.
Their conclusion is that it is about time that a comprehensive smoke-free law is enacted that will be applied to all workplaces and public places. The report also reaches another very important statement: “Evidence from peer-reviewed studies shows that smoke-free policies and regulations do not have an adverse economic impact on the hospitality industry.”
With this report, all arguments and excuses not to take action are eliminated. Many research and hard economic data have revealed that smoke-free laws do not harm sales or employment in restaurants and bars. In fact, they sometimes have positive feedbacks, such as what happened in New York City after the law has taken effect, business receipts for bars and restaurants increased, their job employment rose, and the number of liquor licenses increased. This happened despite the fact that most establishments complied with the law, and the great majority of New Yorkers supported the law.
Another positive outcome is that smoke-free laws resulted in money savings. According to statistics from the Society of Actuaries in the United States, second hand smoke resulted US$ 10 billion a year in health care bills, lost wages, and costs.
All over the world, there is a concerted effort from different government agencies to enact laws due mainly to the overwhelming evidence that smoke-free laws protect the health of the general public without harming the business sector. Even the corporate world have joined the bandwagon by maintaining smoke-free workplaces and providing a specified area for smoking. Some countries, states, provinces, territories, and districts have adopted full smoking bans inside restaurants and bars.
Passive smoking is a major but preventable cause of death. Since smoking hurts more people than just smokers, smoke-free laws need to be upheld at all times to protect everyone's right to breathe clean air.
Related Articles
Part Two: Could ViRexx Medical's ‘Linked Recognition' Research Lead to a Cancer Vaccine?
By: James Finch | 30/05/2006 | Finance
Dr. Lorne Tyrrell pioneered lamivudine as the standard treatment for hepatitis B virus (HBV). Now a success, he observed the drug's shortcomings. Now CEO of ViRexx Medical, Tyrrell hopes his latest development, Chimigen, will offer new hope for HBV, other infectious diseases, and cancer.
Vaginal Itching - Aint`t Life`s Itch a Bitch
By: Kacy Carr | 04/08/2007 | Women's Issues
What has vaginal itching got to do with the rumba.
Recurrent Yeast Infections - Learn Why You’re Getting Chronic Candida Infections
By: Clare Richardson | 31/01/2008 | Women's Health
Discover why you're suffering from recurrent yeast infections so you can successfully cure yourself. No one whi si healthy should suffer more than one Candida infection.
Intestinal Yeast Infections - Can They Be Cured By Diet Alone
By: Jennifer King | 19/03/2008 | Alternative Medicine
Intestinal yeast infections are stubborn, and they're a lot more dificult to cure than a vaginal yeast infection. Your diet is just part of the cure.
Second Hand Smoking: Medical or Physiological Effects
By: Tarun Gupta | 28/03/2008 | Health
Secondhand smoke is a combination of the smoke produced from a burning cigarette and the smoke exhaled by the smoker.
Could ViRexx Medical's ‘Linked Recognition' Research Lead to a Cancer Vaccine?
By: James Finch | 30/05/2006 | Finance
Dr. Lorne Tyrrell pioneered lamivudine as the standard treatment for hepatitis B virus (HBV). Now a success, he observed the drug's shortcomings. Now CEO of ViRexx Medical, Tyrrell hopes his latest development, Chimigen, will offer new hope for HBV, other infectious diseases, and cancer.
The War Against Bacteria That Cause Diseases in Dairy Farms
By: Mayer Fitoussi | 04/08/2007 | Press Releases
The Bio-Hi-Tech Technology for purifying water for dairy farms –Findings
In every cowshed in dairy farms there are tanks for washing milking equipment. The washing is done with disinfectants and various chemicals and the results are sent to the Ministry of Health.
Is Vaginal Odour the Real Reason Why Women Cross Their Legs
By: Kacy Carr | 03/02/2008 | Women's Health
Why do women cross their legs when in company
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
I keep getting adrenal surges (that's the best way ...
By: floydian1987 | 25-07-2008
I keep getting adrenal surges (that's the best way I can describe how they feel) that go to my chest and cause me to have chest pain, what could this be
and the other night I felt this shock-like pain go straight to my heart
could this be neck or back pain related?
Shin Splints =[[
By: KWtennis4 | 23-07-2008
Hi! I am a very atletic person. Not only am i good at sports, but i lluv them. however, i have very bad shin splints that make it hard to play sports. what are shin splints an how can i prevent/cure them? thx!
10 yr old stubbed her big toe . Now it is very ...
By: Marie | 22-07-2008
10 yr old stubbed her big toe . Now it is very blue all over the nail. The toe is very swollen a week later and it hurts all over. Is it dangerous? How to treat it?
How can I clear my arteries?
By: dcha12 | 22-07-2008
how can I clear my arteries?
I want larger, thicker, fuller and longer ejaculations
By: Wise Ali | 22-07-2008
How would I be able to produce a larg(er) amounts of semen during an orgasm. Is there a food or drink or exercise that I can intake or perform that increases the amount of cum I have to give?
Eyelid problem
By: chuck | 22-07-2008
botton of eyelid very red with a "bump"on the middle inside of the lid. No pain, not itchy and no crusting or crud coming from the eye.
What is it and should I seek assistance?
Q&A Powered by:
More from alexis
Working Out With Baby
By: alexis | 18/10/2007 | Health
It is important for pregnant women to maintain a low-impact exercise regimen to boost their mood, improve sleep, reduce aches and pains associated with pregnancy, strengthens muscles and builds endurance. This helps their body carry #the demands of pregnancy and childbirth with ease.
Attacks of Random Pain
By: alexis | 12/10/2007 | Health
Muscle cramps are among the many minor little annoyances or problems that a #person has to deal with on a daily basis. While not debilitating or entirely ###disruptive, they can sometimes come at critical moments, such as in the middle of ##an intense physical activity. There are multiple ways to alleviate the problem, with ##almost all of them being relatively simple tasks that can be done without the need ##of a doctor or anyone else.
Alcoholic Drinks and Health Issues
By: alexis | 04/10/2007 | Health
Alcohol is a depressant that can act as a sedative drug and may slow down the nervous system. In small doses, alcohol can help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Alcohol however may do more harm than good if overused. Extremely #high doses of alcohol at one time can cause alcohol poisoning which can lead to coma or death.
Rock Stars, Music Icons, Alcohol, and Drug Overdose
By: alexis | 04/10/2007 | Health
The article talks about the unhealthy lifestyles of many music personalities. It says that many of them are involved in excessive use of alcohol and other banned substances. Furthermore, the adverse health effects of excessive use of alcohol and illegal drugs are stated.
When Body Snatchers Invade the Mind
By: alexis | 03/10/2007 | Health
Schizoaffective disorder is a mental health problem that is closely related to schizophrenia and has similar symptoms. However, schizoaffective disorder is different in a few ways from schizophrenia, particularly because it can do much more emotional damage to the people around the patient. This disorder has only recently been recognized, but there are already several studies underwatyo better understand and treat the problem.
Cinnamon as Spice and Alternative Medicine
By: alexis | 03/10/2007 | Health
While cinnamon can give many health benefits and improve overall well-being. Cinnamon oil is also important in strengthening the immune system, its scent is used to treat early stages of cold and fever. Advice of medical specialists should be considered before trying cinnamon supplements and other forms of alternative medicine. Because side effects and interaction with other drugs may take place.
Parents, Brace Yourselves for Childhood Scoliosis
By: alexis | 25/09/2007 | Health
Childhood scoliosis is often misdiagnosed by parents. Surgical options for children with scoliosis are serious medical procedures, and this is a consideration parents will be required to make. Understanding the complex nature of scoliosis and the methods for early diagnosis will provide for a more effective treatment plan.
Children in Need, not Misdeed
By: alexis | 25/09/2007 | Health
Child maltreatment is a behavior toward a child that is outside the norms of conduct and entails substantial risk of causing physical or emotional harm. Research indicates that without some form of intervention against child maltreatment, the long-term consequences for children can be nightmares, feeling of insecurity, feeling unsafe, poor school performance and low self-esteem. They are also more likely to be abusive or become victims of abuse themselves.
Health 
