• Since 1964, about 2,500,000 people who did not smoke died from health problems caused by secondhand smoke exposure.
• Health problems caused by secondhand smoke in adults who do not smoke include coronary heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer, as well as adverse reproductive health effects in women, including low birth weight.
• There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS); even brief exposure can cause immediate harm.
• ^‍Secondhand smoke exposure can produce harmful inflammatory and respiratory effects within 60 minutes of exposure which can last for at least three hours after exposure.
  
• Secondhand smoke can cause sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), respiratory infections, ear infections, and asthma attacks in infants and children.

• Almost two of every five children 3-11 years of age, including over half of non-Hispanic Black children, were exposed to secondhand smoke during 2017- 2018.
• During 2017-2018, secondhand smoke exposure among non-Hispanic Black individuals and those living below the poverty level continued to be approximately twice as high compared with non-Hispanic White individuals and those living above the poverty level, respectively.
• People with lower incomes
• People with less education
• People who live in rental and multi-unit housing or who live with someone who smokes inside the home
• People who work in environments not covered by smoke-free air laws. Currently, only 32.1% of the population is covered, and Louisiana lags behind the nation in its smoke free laws, as 62.3% of the United States population is covered. (AHR)

The most effective way to provide protection from secondhand smoke are smoke free air policies. Twenty-one studies showed that smoke free laws and policies in the workplace were linked to a 3.4% decrease in tobacco prevalence CDC secondhand smoke exposure. Smoke-free ordinances, including bans in bars and casinos, will decrease the smoking prevalence rate in Louisiana, prevent initiation of smoking among youth, and reduce exposure to secondhand smoke.

Win!! Many communities across Louisiana have comprehensive smoke-free ordinances. ACCOMPLISHMENTS | Healthier Air for All

• Developing Non-smoking Workplace Policy
• Current list of smokefree municipalities in Louisiana - ANR
• ACCOMPLISHMENTS | Healthier Air for All
• American Nonsmokers’ Right Foundation complied the Bridging the Gap Reportthat shares information on the importance of smoke-free policies, current smoke-free protections and which populations are least likely to be protected.
• The Louisiana Smoke-Free Air Actprohibits smoking in most public places and workplaces, including all restaurants with or without attached bars.
  
• The Louisiana Tobacco-Free K-12 Schools Actprohibits use of all tobacco products on all K-12 school property, including buses.
  
• The Louisiana Act 211 Smoke-free Policies for Colleges and Universities Statewide prohibits smoking on public post-secondary education campuses.
• Smoke-Free Public Housing Guideis for housing agency directors and property managers on the Geaux Smoke-Free Housing Process.
• The HUD Smoke-Free Housing Guidebookprovides a roadmap to public housing agencies for adopting, implementing, and maintaining smoke-free housing policies.
• CDC Healthy Homes Informationhighlights the dangers of secondhand smoke exposure in homes and provides resources for smoking cessation and secondhand smoke prevention.
• American Nonsmokers’ Right Foundation complied the Bridging the GapReport that shares information on the importance of smoke-free policies, current smoke-free protections and which populations are least likely to be protected.