Secondhand Smoke Helpline: (408) 999-0500
Breathe California of the Bay Area maintains the local Secondhand Smoke Helpline (408) 999-0500 to help people who are affected by secondhand smoke.
Those with questions, complaints or other issues regarding secondhand smoke are encouraged to call the helpline to learn what they can do to safeguard health. This includes:
Those with questions, complaints or other issues regarding secondhand smoke are encouraged to call the helpline to learn what they can do to safeguard health. This includes:
- local residents who are exposed to a neighbor’s secondhand smoke,
- people who want to log a complaint about bars/restaurants that are not complying with non-smoking laws, and
- those who have concerns about their own exposure to secondhand smoke
What does the Secondhand Smoke Helpline Provide
The Secondhand Smoke Helpline provides callers with solutions posed by exposure to secondhand smoke or electronic cigarette emissions/aerosol.
By calling the helpline, callers can receive:
- Information about laws and personal rights regarding secondhand smoke
- An avenue to anonymously place complaints about secondhand smoke
- Free consultation and advocacy on the caller’s behalf
- Informational flyers, brochures and materials about secondhand smoke and no smoking signs
Image provided by: https://tobaccoatlas.org/topic/secondhand/
Effects of Secondhand Smoke
Tobacco-related diseases and premature deaths that are associated with active smoking are also observed in those in contact with secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke costs approximately $5.6 billion annually in direct medical costs. This smoke consists of over 7,000 substances with 69 known or suspected to be carcinogenic. Exposure to secondhand smoke can be as dangerous as smoking for both adults and children alike.
The harmful effects of secondhand smoke on children include:
While e-cigarettes do not contain smoke, exposure to their secondhand emissions, or aerosol, can be just as dangerous as exposure to secondhand smoke from cigarettes. Vaping has been found to diminish indoor air quality by increasing the concentration of nicotine, particulate matter, Particulate matter such as PAHs, and aluminum which are linked to cardiovascular and lung diseases and cancer, along with other harmful health effects. E-cigarettes have also caused serious injuries by causing fires and explosions while charging.
The harmful effects of secondhand smoke on children include:
- Ear infections
- Asthma
- Respiratory problems such as coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath,
- Respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia
- Increased risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
- Heart disease
- Lung cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Nasal cancer
- Liver cancer
- Breast cancer
- Stroke
- Reproductive effects in women such as low birth weight
While e-cigarettes do not contain smoke, exposure to their secondhand emissions, or aerosol, can be just as dangerous as exposure to secondhand smoke from cigarettes. Vaping has been found to diminish indoor air quality by increasing the concentration of nicotine, particulate matter, Particulate matter such as PAHs, and aluminum which are linked to cardiovascular and lung diseases and cancer, along with other harmful health effects. E-cigarettes have also caused serious injuries by causing fires and explosions while charging.
Image provided by: https://okhelpline.com/the-dangers-of-secondhand-smoke/
Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/secondhand_smoke/health_effects/index.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/index.htm
National Cancer Institute (NCI). (1999). Health Effects of Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke: The Report of the California Environmental Protection Agency. Smoking and Tobacco Control Monograph 10. Bethesda, MD: NCI.
American Cancer Society (ACS). (2014). Secondhand Smoke: Just the Facts.
Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/secondhand_smoke/health_effects/index.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/index.htm
National Cancer Institute (NCI). (1999). Health Effects of Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke: The Report of the California Environmental Protection Agency. Smoking and Tobacco Control Monograph 10. Bethesda, MD: NCI.
American Cancer Society (ACS). (2014). Secondhand Smoke: Just the Facts.
