Report Finds Children in Apartments at Greater Risk of Smoke Exposure

ST. GEORGE, UT –  The Southwest Utah Public Health Department (SWUPHD) strongly supports safe, healthy air for all, and applauds local property owners and managers who have made their properties  smoke-free.  

the SWUPHD has recently issued a list of these properties, which can be found HERE.

 

"We created this list and map so that members of the public could make the best possible decision for their health and their family," said Jordan Mathis, SWUPHD Director of Health Promotion. "All too often individuals and families don't find out about issues with regards to tobacco smoke exposure until after a lease is signed.  We hope the list will help alleviate this problem for those who are concerned about tobacco smoke exposure."

Less than one week after the U.S. Surgeon General declared that even the smallest level of exposure to tobacco smoke is harmful, a new study appearing in the Journal of Pediatrics finds that children who live in multi-unit housing have higher levels of tobacco smoke contamination in their blood even when no one smokes in their own apartment.  This new study makes clear that all multi-unit housing must be made smoke-free. 

The study, "Tobacco-Smoke Exposure in Children Who Live in Multi-unit Housing", provides evidence that children in apartments have higher blood levels of cotinine, a byproduct of tobacco smoke exposure, compared to children living in attached and detached houses, and that no ventilation system or other alternative provides adequate protection from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke. 

"Children's respiratory systems are highly vulnerable to harm from tobacco smoke", said Dr. David Blodgett, SWUPHD Health Officer. "Even at very low levels of exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke, vulnerable populations, including people with heart disease and lung disease such as asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the elderly and children, are at greater risk for a variety of tobacco-related illnesses and complications."

Tobacco costs the U.S. more than $193 billion each year in health care costs and lost productivity and kills more than 443,000 people annually. The SWUPHD has several programs that can help assist smokers take the big step of quitting each year.

For more information  call 435-986-2593 or 1.800.QUIT.NOW.