The Florida Department of Health’s Tobacco Free Florida program and Florida Department of Health in Madison are launching a new initiative titled: Secondhand Smoke Exposed.
The initiative will be part of the eighth annual Tobacco Free Florida Week, which takes place Sunday, May 8 through Saturday, May 14 and will educate Madison residents about the dangers of secondhand smoke.
Secondhand Smoke Exposed focuses on dispelling the common myth that secondhand smoke is harmless. The fact is, even just breathing small amounts of secondhand smoke can be dangerous.
Secondhand smoke has hundreds of toxic chemicals, including about 70 that are known to cause cancer.
Secondhand smoke greatly increases the risk of lung cancer, which is the cancer strand with the highest fatality count in Florida; each year, primarily due to secondhand smoke exposure, an estimated 7,300 non-smoking Americans die of lung cancer.
“Many people are unaware of how detrimental secondhand smoke exposure can be to one’s health,” said Tobacco Free Florida Bureau Chief Valerie Lacy. “The goal of this year’s Tobacco Free Florida Week is to make sure all Floridians are aware of the dangers of secondhand smoke. We encourage Floridians to join the fight against tobacco and help make Florida a healthier state for all.”
Despite the growing trend of smoke-free policies and the substantial decrease of smokers in the state, many of Madison County’s most vulnerable are still involuntarily affected by secondhand smoke. As part of its local tobacco-related interventions, DOH-Madison raises public awareness about subject areas related to secondhand smoke.
Efforts range from guiding a multi-unit housing property through the process of going smoke-free to presenting the benefits of a tobacco-free college campus.
May is also Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month and tobacco smoke is one of the most common asthma triggers.
Children with asthma who are exposed to secondhand smoke are likely to experience more frequent and more severe attacks, which can put their lives in danger. In fact, more than 40 percent of children who go to the emergency room for asthma attacks live in a home with smokers.
Residents in Madison and throughout the state benefit from the Florida Clean Indoor Air Act (FCIAA), which was amended in 2003 to prohibit smoking in indoor workplaces. The Florida Department of Health has a dedicated phone line (1 800-337-3742) where you can report violations to the FCIAA. Floridians can help protect themselves and their families by reporting unlawful smoking, while making the state an even better place to live.
If you smoke, the best thing you can do to protect your loved ones is to quit smoking. Floridians who want to quit smoking are encouraged to use Tobacco Free Florida’s free and proven-effective services. More information is available at tobaccofreeflorida.com.