Question 1

What is secondhand smoke?

Accepted Answer

Secondhand smoke comes from burning tobacco products, like cigarettes, cigars, hookahs, or pipes. People are exposed to secondhand smoke by breathing in the smoke that is breathed out by individuals using tobacco products.  20.7% of nonsmoking adults in the U.S. were exposed to secondhand smoke in 2017-2018. (Source: CDC) (https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7006a6.htm?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Ftobacco%2Fdata_statistics%2Fmmwrs%2Fbyyear%2F2021%2Fmm7006a6%2Findex.html)

Question 2

What is in tobacco smoke?

Accepted Answer

The smoke in commercial tobacco products contains over 7,000 chemicals, including toxic and cancer-causing chemicals. Many of these chemicals are found in household cleaners, batteries, lighter fluid, paint thinners, and gasoline. (Source: CDC) (https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/secondhand-smoke/about.html)

Question 3

What are the health effects of secondhand smoke exposure?

Accepted Answer

There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, which can affect both adults and children and can cause serious health problems. In adults, exposure can cause coronary heart disease, stroke or lung cancer. In children, exposure can cause Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, pneumonia or severe asthma.

Question 4

Where are people exposed to secondhand smoke the most?

Accepted Answer

People can be exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes, apartments, and workplaces. Public places, such as restaurants and bars, are another common area where people can be exposed to secondhand smoke. New Jersey implemented the Smoke-Free Air Act (N.J.S.A. 26:3 D-55) that highlights the importance of prohibiting smoking in enclosed indoor spaces.

Question 5

What is the best protection against exposure to secondhand smoke?

Accepted Answer

Quitting smoking is the best way to eliminate secondhand smoke exposure to others. Comprehensive tobacco-free laws and policies are also effective at protecting people from exposure to secondhand smoke.

Question 6

What can people do to Clear The Air where they work, live, or play?

Accepted Answer

A) Report an anonymous complaint for violation against the 2006 Smoke-Free Air Act to the New Jersey Department of Health.
At a state-level, New Jersey residents are protected against exposure indoors and in public places like parks, beaches, and recreational areas through the 2006 New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act. Visit nj.gov/health/fhs/tobacco/regulations (https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nj.gov%2Fhealth%2Ffhs%2Ftobacco%2Fregulations%2F&data=05%7C01%7CAshley%40njpn.org%7C5b3140bb372941ff26bc08db5aec41c2%7Ce9ac743fde4d42919a495912efc68849%7C0%7C0%7C638203744116337809%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=8HX1%2BN13ADtO2Md2KEub62Z%2BAL%2FU5NfqwV2OLSbgOc8%3D&reserved=0)to file a Smoke-Free Air Complaint.

B) Take your concerns to your employer (resources below): 
Working Well Tobacco Free is an initiative that assists employers to implement tobacco-free workplace policies and improve the health and wellness of their employees.

A worksite that goes 100% tobacco-free creates a safe environment, protecting employees from exposure to secondhand smoke. Visit workingwelltfnj.com/employers (https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.workingwelltfnj.com%2Femployers&data=05%7C01%7CAshley%40njpn.org%7C5b3140bb372941ff26bc08db5aec41c2%7Ce9ac743fde4d42919a495912efc68849%7C0%7C0%7C638203744116337809%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=AZUkCvfOcU922NG3Sl2EB%2BhARLWRsW98A0r%2BoWfv3cQ%3D&reserved=0)for more information.

C) Refer your loved ones to quit.
· New Jersey Quitline: 866-NJ-STOPS; njquitline.org(https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.njquitline.org%2F&data=05%7C01%7CAshley%40njpn.org%7C5b3140bb372941ff26bc08db5aec41c2%7Ce9ac743fde4d42919a495912efc68849%7C0%7C0%7C638203744116494029%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=vVOz4VsbTMKBjYPdFjW3QuNFBAUJholimk99qUSujcs%3D&reserved=0)
· New Jersey Quit Centers(https://www.tobaccofreenj.com/_files/ugd/fbbd59_67c2d88938684c2997131eb3415e07d0.pdf)
· Mom’s Quit Connection: momsquit.com(https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmomsquit.com%2F&data=05%7C01%7CAshley%40njpn.org%7C5b3140bb372941ff26bc08db5aec41c2%7Ce9ac743fde4d42919a495912efc68849%7C0%7C0%7C638203744116494029%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=6Nor1RWvyMcC0IMEpKT1MPY8%2FirtCLVyh78wOWt%2BY%2Bs%3D&reserved=0)

For more cessation resources, visit tobaccofreenj.com/quit-smoking.(https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tobaccofreenj.com%2Fquit-smoking&data=05%7C01%7CAshley%40njpn.org%7C5b3140bb372941ff26bc08db5aec41c2%7Ce9ac743fde4d42919a495912efc68849%7C0%7C0%7C638203744116494029%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=BzbtR7z34fjqYbNO%2Fku7Xt4NVfLq5IOQINjlnFzZpHY%3D&reserved=0)

Secondhand smoke affects everyone and can cause the same health effects as smoking, including coronary heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. There is no safe levels of exposure.

Everyone deserves to breathe smoke-free air where they live, work, and play.