Across the United States and around the world, people are speaking up for their right to breathe clean, smoke-free air, free from the proven dangers of secondhand smoke. Efforts to create smoke-free areas received a powerful boost with the recent release of the US Surgeon General’s report on secondhand smoke. The report makes it clear that only comprehensive smoke-free workplace laws can protect all workers and the public from the serious, scientifically proven dangers of secondhand smoke.

The report’s major conclusions:

• The scientific evidence is indisputable that secondhand smoke causes premature death and serious diseases in both adults and children who do not smoke. As Surgeon General Richard Carmona stated, “The debate is over. The science is clear. Secondhand smoke is not mere annoyance but serious health hazard.”
• Secondhand smoke is a proven cause of lung cancer and heart disease in non-smoking adults and of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), low birth weight, acute respiratory infections, ear infections and asthma attacks in infants and children. It is responsible for tens of each thousands of deaths in the US each year.
• There is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
• Exposure to secondhand smoke has substantial and immediate adverse effects on the cardiovascular system.
• The only way to protect non-smokers from secondhand smoke is to require smoke-free workplaces and public places. Other approaches, such as air ventilation systems and smoking and non-smoking sections do not eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke.
• Smoke-free policies do not have an adverse economic on the hospitality industry.   
  

By leaving no doubt that secondhand smoke poses serious risks to human health, the Surgeon General’s report should accelerate the already strong momentum to enact comprehensive smoke-free workplace laws around the world.

In the US, 14 states have enacted smoke-free laws that include restaurants and bars. Countries including Malaysia, Bermuda, Bhutan, England (effective 2007), Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Northern Ireland (effective 2007), Norway, Scotland, Sweden and Uruguay also have smoke free laws.

There is also growing evidence that smoke-free laws can save money. A study released in August 2005 by the Society of Actuaries found that secondhand smoke costs the US $10 billion a year in health care bills, lost wages and other costs.

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