Secondhand Smoke Exposure, Smoking and Children’s Health

1. Secondhand Smoke Exposure, Smoking and Children’s Health Coordinator Name Alabama Dept. of Public Health

2. Smoking and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in the United States • From 1999-2002, 40 million children between the ages of 3 and 19 were exposed to SHS. 1 • More than 400,000 people die each year due to their own smoking. • 38,000 to 67,500 people die each year due to SHS exposure and smoking during pregnancy 2

3. Smoking and secondhand smoke exposure in Alabama • 440 – 1,240 adults die each year from SHS exposure. • 7,400 adults die as a result of their own smoking. • 23.3% of adults smoke. 3

4. Tobacco Use Among Youth • More than 6 million children alive today will die of smoking-related illnesses. 2 • Nearly every adult who smokes started before the age of eighteen. 9 • In Alabama, more than 14 million packs of cigarettes are bought or smoked by kids each year. 3

5. What is “secondhand smoke?” • Combination of smoke from a burning cigarette, pipe, or cigar and smoke exhaled by the smoker. • Contains at least 250 toxic chemicals, including more than 50 that can cause cancer. • Also known as “environmental tobacco smoke.” 4

6. What’s in a cigarette?

7. Smoking and Pregnancy • Increased risk of low birth weight. • Increased risk of premature birth. • Babies born to pregnant smokers are 1.4 to 3.0 times more likely to die of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). • Expectant mothers who are exposed to secondhand smoke are 20% more likely to have a low birth weight baby. 1

8. Children’s health and secondhand smoke exposure • Sudden infant death syndrome. 4 • Acute respiratory infections. 4 • Slowed lung growth. 4 • Increased frequency and severity of asthma attacks. 4 • Ear infections. 4 • Difficulty learning. 6 • There is no safe level of exposure. 4

9. Millions of Americans are exposed to SHS in homes and workplaces. SHS causes premature death in children and adults who do not smoke. Children exposed to SHS are at increased risk of ear infections, asthma, respiratory infections, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Exposure to SHS causes heart disease and lung cancer in adults. There is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure. The only way to fully protect nonsmokers is to eliminate smoking in indoor spaces. 2006 Surgeon General’s Report: The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke

10. Secondhand smoke and dental health There is an association between dental cavities and secondhand smoke exposure in children. 5

11. How to protect children • Do not smoke inside your home or car. • Do not allow others to smoke in your home, car, or around your children. • If you are unable to quit, smoke outdoors.

12. Benefits of a smoke-free home and car • Improved health for your entire family. • Reduced health care costs. • Easier cleaning and maintenance. • Reduced risk of house fires. • Your family’s clothes and hair will not have a tobacco odor.

13. Are you ready to take the pledge?

14. Tobacco Use Among Youth • More than 6 million children alive today will die of smoking-related illnesses. 2 • Nearly every adult who smokes started before the age of eighteen. 9 • In Alabama, more than 14 million packs of cigarettes are bought or smoked by kids each year. 3

15. Increased Cigarette Prices Help Protect Youth from Becoming Smokers • Studies show that, for every 10 percent increase in the price of cigarettes, youth smoking rates decrease by seven percent. 7 • Nationwide, the average state cigarette tax is $1.112 per pack. 8 • In Alabama, the state cigarette tax is $0.425 per pack. 8 • Increased prices make cigarettes less accessible to our youth and reduce the risk of subsequent tobacco addiction.

16. All Alabamians, including youth, are eligible for free help to quit using tobacco products

17. Provides free counseling and free 4-week supply of nicotine replacement therapy. * • This service is provided free of charge to any Alabama resident who wants to quit smoking. • Sponsored by the Alabama Department of Public Health. * N.R.T. is provided for medically eligible participants. All participants, regardless of medical status, are eligible for free counseling.

18. References • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Preventing Smoking and Exposure to Secondhand Smoke Before, During, and After Pregnancy, July, 2007. • Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, The Toll of Tobacco in the United States of America Fact Sheet, November 12, 2007. • Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, The Toll of Tobacco in Alabama Fact Sheet, 2005. • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Smoking and Tobacco Use Fact Sheet: Secondhand Smoke, September 2006. • C. Andrew Aligne, MD, MPH, et al. Association of pediatric dental caries with passive smoking, JAMA. 2003;289:1258-1264. • McIntyre, Paul and Carter, Jean, Secondhand smoke reduces children’s learning skills. Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke website, www.kiis.org/home/news/news_reduces.html. Accessed on January 2, 2008.

19. References Continued: • Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, Higher Cigarette Taxes Reduce Smoking: Save Lives, Save Money, 12/05/2007. www.tobaccofreekids.org/reports. • Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, State Cigarette Tax Rates and Rank, Date of Last Increase, Annual Pack Sales and Revenues, and Related Data, April 9, 2008. www.tobaccofreekids.org. • Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, Research Center, www.tobaccofreekids.org.