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June 28, 2006

Surgeon General: The Debate is Over. The Science is Clear

Tobacco Smoke Pollution is a Serious Health Hazard

Today, U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona released a report entitled, The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke. It contained the following six major conclusions:

• Many millions of Americans are still exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes and workplaces despite substantial progress in tobacco control.
• Secondhand smoke exposure causes disease and premature death in people who do not smoke.
• Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), acute respiratory infections, ear problems, and more severe asthma. Smoking by parents causes respiratory symptoms and slows lung growth in their children.
• Exposure of adults to secondhand smoke has immediate adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and causes coronary heart disease and lung cancer.
• The scientific evidence indicates that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
• Eliminating smoking in indoor spaces fully protects people from exposure to secondhand smoke. Separating sections, air cleaning systems, and ventilating buildings cannot eliminate the risk of exposure to secondhand smoke.

"The debate is over. The science is clear. Secondhand smoke is not a mere annoyance but a serious health hazard," Carmona said. Smoking is the nation's single greatest cause of disease and death

To send a letter in support of smokefree air where you live, go to www.smokefree.net/alerts.php

Read the Executive Summary here

Listen to the WebCast here

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