On Thursday, May 6, 2004, at 11:24 AM, Mike Skoglund wrote:
For that matter, given all the arguments that are flying around, are there definitive answers on (1) health risks of second-hand smoke; or (2) the effect of a smoking ban on various businesses.
I've always assumed that second-hand smoke has some sort of dangerous
effect, but I don't know for sure. I'd feel more comfortable advocating
a change in law based on cancer risks than stinky overcoats.
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Two snips from the EPA site: (Note - tobacco companies attempted to sue EPA over this ruling but failed).
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ etsbro.html#Secondhand%20smoke%20can%20cause%20lung%20cancer%20in%20nons mokers.
Secondhand Smoke Can Cause Lung Cancer in Nonsmokers
* Secondhand smoke has been classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a known cause of lung cancer in humans (Group A carcinogen).
* Passive smoking is estimated by EPA to cause approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths in nonsmokers each year.
Secondhand Smoke is a Serious Health Risk to Children
* The developing lungs of young children are also affected by exposure to secondhand smoke.
* Infants and young children whose parents smoke are among the most seriously affected by exposure to secondhand smoke, being at increased risk of lower respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis. EPA estimates that passive smoking is responsible for between 150,000 and 300,000 lower respiratory tract infections in infants and children under 18 months of age annually, resulting in between 7,500 and 15,000 hospitalizations each year.
* Children exposed to secondhand smoke are also more likely to have reduced lung function and symptoms of respiratory irritation like cough, excess phlegm, and wheeze.
* Passive smoking can lead to buildup of fluid in the middle ear, the most common cause of hospitalization of children for an operation.
* Asthmatic children are especially at risk. EPA estimates that exposure to secondhand smoke increases the number of episodes and severity of symptoms in hundreds of thousands of asthmatic children. EPA estimates that between 200,000 and 1,000,000 asthmatic children have their condition made worse by exposure to secondhand smoke. Passive smoking may also cause thousands of non-asthmatic children to develop the condition each year.
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I added this snip because it is a strong personal concern. Children don't go into bars but they sure do go into restaurants. Their small lungs are far more susceptible as this quote shows.
Best,
Laura Southeast Minneapolis
Laura Waterman Wittstock
MIGIZI Communications, Inc.
3123 East Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55406
612.721.6631 ext 219
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.migizi.org
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