Posted on 06/27/2006 11:34:51 PM PDT by at bay
U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona today issued a comprehensive scientific report which concludes that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke at home or work increase their risk of developing heart disease by 25 to 30 percent and lung cancer by 20 to 30 percent. The finding is of major public health concern due to the fact that nearly half of all nonsmoking Americans are still regularly exposed to secondhand smoke.
The report, The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke, finds that even brief secondhand smoke exposure can cause immediate harm. The report says the only way to protect nonsmokers from the dangerous chemicals in secondhand smoke is to eliminate smoking indoors.
“The report is a crucial warning sign to nonsmokers and smokers alike,” HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt said. "Smoking can sicken and kill, and even people who do not smoke can be harmed by smoke from those who do.”
Secondhand smoke exposure can cause heart disease and lung cancer in nonsmoking adults and is a known cause of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), respiratory problems, ear infections, and asthma attacks in infants and children, the report finds.
“The health effects of secondhand smoke exposure are more pervasive than we previously thought,” said Surgeon General Carmona, vice admiral of the U.S. Public Health Service. “The scientific evidence is now indisputable: secondhand smoke is not a mere annoyance. It is a serious health hazard that can lead to disease and premature death in children and nonsmoking adults.” Secondhand smoke contains more than 50 cancer-causing chemicals, and is itself a known human carcinogen. Nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke inhale many of the same toxins as smokers. Even brief exposure to secondhand smoke has immediate adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and increases risk for heart disease and lung cancer, the report says. In addition, the report notes that because the bodies of infants and children are still developing, they are especially vulnerable to the poisons in secondhand smoke.
“The good news is that, unlike some public health hazards, secondhand smoke exposure is easily prevented,” Surgeon General Carmona said. “Smoke-free indoor environments are proven, simple approaches that prevent exposure and harm.” The report finds that even the most sophisticated ventilation systems cannot completely eliminate secondhand smoke exposure and that only smoke-free environments afford full protection.
Surgeon General Carmona noted that levels of cotinine -- a biological marker for secondhand smoke exposure -- measured in nonsmokers have fallen by 70 percent since the late 1980s, and the proportion of nonsmokers with detectable cotinine levels has been halved from 88 percent in 1988-91 to 43 percent in 2001-02.
“Our progress over the past 20 years in clearing the air of tobacco smoke is a major public health success story,” Surgeon General Carmona said. “We have averted many thousands of cases of disease and early death and saved millions of dollars in health care costs.” He emphasized, however, that sustained efforts are required to protect the more than 126 million Americans who continue to be regularly exposed to secondhand smoke in the home, at work, and in enclosed public spaces.
To help communicate the report findings as widely as possible, the Surgeon General unveiled an easy-to-read guide with practical information on the dangers of secondhand smoke and steps people can take to protect themselves.
You are correct, this is a money maker for all concerned, including the tobacco companies.
I really get an @ssfull of the holier-than-thou types like my doctor who says smoking "bothers" him.......I replied that listening to spanish spoken in the clinic "bothers" me.....but I sure as h*ll don't see anyone trying to outlaw that!
"Nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke at home or work... The report says the only way to protect nonsmokers from the dangerous chemicals in secondhand smoke is to eliminate smoking indoors."
They are coming to a home near you soon.
Just more hoodoo voodoo from your tax engorged Government.
Yep. All homes must now be "monitored" to make sure you aren't smoking around your kids. After all, "it's for the children...."
And taxes. Or course...
Question, why do we need a Surgeon General???
We certainly don't need him/her today. But what the heck, we taxpayers pour so much money into DC they just gotta find a way to spend it. Here is how it began:
"In 1871, Woodworth was appointed the first Supervising Surgeon of the Marine Hospital Service. The Service had its origins in a 1798 Act of Congress "for the relief of sick and disabled seamen." The 1798 law created a fund to be used by the Federal Government to provide medical services to merchant seamen in American ports. The marine hospital fund was administered by the Treasury Department and financed through a monthly deduction from the wages of the seamen."
This is a perfect example of how incrementalism works.
ping!
He is the head of the Public Health Service
Ask yourself this - can you name all 7 uniformed services?
Yup - Health services and the NOAA Commissioned Corps are the two missed most often.
Or better yet...how did George Burns live to be 100 when he smoked cigars all the time?
First they came for the smokers. I didn't say anything because I wasn't a smoker.
Next they came for the beer drinkers. I didn't say anything because I didn't drink beer.
Then they came for the junk food eaters. I didn't say anything because I don't eat junk food.
Then they came for the meat eaters. I didn't say anything because I'm a vegetarian.
Finally then came for me, and there was nobody left to defend me.
Heaven help us if Ingrid Newkirk or Michael Jacobson becomes President of the United States in the future. "Taxpayer-subsidized tofurkeys in every pot" would be their campaign slogan.
I'm sure meat eaters are the next target.
"Forced veganism. It's for the children."
If Hillary pushed for forced veganism, she would say "We are going to force veganism on behalf of the common good". (more like the communist good).
All homes will be forced to have security cameras in every room in every corner. All homes will also be forced to pay a "surveillance tax". After all, "it's for the kids" and "it's for the common good".
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.