The American Legacy Foundation (Legacy) commends the AAP for adopting a new policy that stresses the importance of pediatricians’ role in reducing family tobacco use. In addition, the IOM’s eye-opening report highlights the detrimental effects involuntary exposure to secondhand smoke can cause to the cardiovascular systems of nonsmoking adults.

AAP’s new policy comes just a day after the IOM’s report, reaffirming that secondhand smoke continues to be a serious public health issue. The AAP states in its policy statement that harm to children from SHS includes respiratory illness, infection, and decreased lung function. Furthering the evidence around secondhand smoke, the IOM’s cohort analysis of eleven publications found that exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) increases the risk of coronary heart disease by 25-30 percent.  The study also found that smoking bans can reduce the incidence of acute coronary events.

The two reports add to a growing body of evidence, including the 2006 Surgeon General’s Report, that suggests exposure to secondhand smoke can lead to heart disease among nonsmoking adults.  Although new legislation has been passed banning smoking in many municipalities’ public, workplace and social environments, adults are still putting their loved ones and peers at risk in non-restricted areas. In addition, secondhand smoke continues to be a social justice concern. Bar and restaurant workers and employees working in workplaces that are not covered by secondhand smoke restrictions often find themselves vulnerable to secondhand smoke and its residual health effects.  

There are no safe levels of exposure to secondhand smoke — which can linger for hours even after smoking stops.  Unfortunately, children are still significantly affected by adult smoking - potentially leading to a generational addiction.  The American Legacy Foundation and the public health community are working together to raise awareness of the deadly impact of SHS among nonsmoking adults and children, in an effort to dispel the myth that, because you don’t smoke, you’re not at risk.

The foundation has partnered with The Advertising Council in the past to create the “Don’t Pass Gas” campaign, a public-service campaign focusing on the importance of having parents not smoke around children – especially in their homes and cars. Learn more about the campaign at http://www.dontpassgas.org/downloads/DPG_Brochure.pdf

Each new report supporting existing research that secondhand smoke is dangerous only bolsters the efforts of the public health community to educate Americans about tobacco prevention, cessation and exposure – for smokers and nonsmokers alike.