9/7/10: U.S. CDC report concludes that, "Sustained, adequately funded comprehensive tobacco control programs could reduce adult smoking."
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control released data showing that declines in smoking rates have stalled in the past five years, overall in the U.S. The report concluded that, "Sustained, adequately funded comprehensive tobacco control programs could reduce adult smoking." The report also shared data on nonsmokers' exposure to secondhand smoke, finding:
- Despite progress in protecting nonsmokers from secondhand smoke, approximately 88 million nonsmokers (including 32 million children and youths) in the United States were exposed to secondhand smoke during 2007 - 2008.
- Children are more likely than nonsmoking adults to live with someone who smokes inside the home and more likely to be exposed to secondhand smoke.
- The vast majority of nonsmokers who live with persons who smoke inside the home are exposed to secondhand smoke.
- The only way to protect nonsmokers fully is to eliminate smoking in indoor spaces, including workplaces, public places (e.g., restaurants and bars), and private places (e.g., homes and vehicles) through smoke-free laws and policies and through decreased smoking prevalence.
- No risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure exists.
Read the full Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Last update: 4/11/11