Second hand smoke a public health issue | Letters | Summerville Journal Scene

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Second hand smoke a public health issue

Published Thursday, September 30, 2010 2:55 PM

Summerville Journal Scene ®

Dear Editor,

There has been much discussion about smoking in public since Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona released his report, The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke, in 2006. I have read many letters and articles debating the issue by smokers and non-smokers. As Public Health Director of the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control’s Region 7, which includes Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties and Interim Public Health Director for Region 8, which includes Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper counties, I feel it is very important that everyone understand the facts.

The six major conclusions of the report are:

1. Secondhand smoke causes premature death and disease in children and adults who do not smoke.

2. Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at 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.

3. Exposure of adults to secondhand smoke has immediate adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and causes coronary heart disease and lung cancer.

4. The scientific evidence indicates that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke.

5. Many millions of Americans, both children and adults, are still exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes and workplaces despite substantial progress in tobacco control.

6. Eliminating smoking in indoor spaces fully protects nonsmokers from exposure to secondhand smoke. Separating smokers from nonsmokers, cleaning the air, and ventilating buildings cannot eliminate exposures of nonsmokers to secondhand smoke.

These conclusions are based on scientific evidence that cannot be refuted, and we in DHEC Regions 7 and 8 are working to reduce secondhand smoke exposure among children and adults through efforts promoting smoke-free policy adoption. All of Region 7 and 8’s health department buildings are smoke-free.

The following communities in our Regions have enacted smoke-free workplace ordinances: Beaufort, Beaufort County, Bluffton, Charleston, Edisto Beach, Hilton Head Island, Hollywood, Isle of Palms, Mount Pleasant, Ravenel and Sullivan’s Island and Walterboro.

In addition, six school districts in our region— Berkeley County, Charleston County, Colleton County, Dorchester School District 2, Hampton School District 2, and Jasper County—have adopted the model 100 percent tobacco-free policy endorsed by DHEC and the S.C. School Boards Association. This policy prohibits students, staff and visitors from using any tobacco product in school buildings, on grounds and at all school-sponsored events. It also offers cessation programs and prevention curricula, and curtails tobacco company advertisements on school property.

The agency commends any business or industry that makes a decision to provide a smoke-free environment.

One thing is certain… exposure to secondhand smoke is more than a debate about rights and choices; it is a public health issue. The best way for everyone to understand their responsibility in addressing this serious health hazard is to know and understand the facts, and the facts speak for themselves.

John Simkovich

Region 7 Health Director

Berkeley, Charleston & Dorchester Counties

S.C. Dept. of Health & Environmental Control

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