Prevention of Secondhand Smoke Exposure: National

Policy Objective: Prevention of Secondhand Smoke Exposure

Setting: National

Below, you will see a list of goals for this policy objective. Click on the specific goal to read strategies you can use to achieve that goal in this setting.

100% Tobacco-Free Policies

Encourage the US administration to refer the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control to the US Senate for ratification

The United States has signed but not ratified the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The FCTC is the first global public health treaty designed to foster international cooperation to protect persons around the world from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke.

The treaty commits nations to implement policies on tobacco price and tax increases, eliminating or restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship, labeling tobacco packaging with more prominent health warnings, reducing exposure to secondhand smoke, expanding access to tobacco cessation treatments and curbing illicit trade. Over 165 countries have ratified the framework convention.

Recommended by:

US Department of Health and Human Services– Ending the Tobacco Epidemic: A Tobacco Control Strategic Action Plan for the US Department of Health and Human Services- Strategic Action 4

For more information:

American Cancer Society – Global Advocacy for the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
WHO – Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

Encourage Congress to require health care facilities receiving federal funding and other federally run public spaces to implement tobacco-free policies

All places where children and adolescents learn, live, play and work (eg, schools, universities, child care settings, health care facilities, restaurants, public parks, multi-unit housing, sporting arenas and vehicles) should be smoke-free in order to discourage smoking initiation as well as exposure to secondhand and thirdhand smoke. Children and adolescents with chronic conditions (eg, asthma) face significant health harms from tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure.

Those who suffer from chronic conditions, which are often not visible, could be at an even greater risk for adverse reactions if environments are not smoke or tobacco free. Hookah, electronic nicotine delivery systems (including e-cigarettes), smokeless tobacco and flavored tobacco products should be included in such policies, as they are becoming more popular with youth.

Recommended by:

AAP policy statement– Clinical Practice Policy to Protect Children From Tobacco, Nicotine, and Tobacco Smoke
AAP policy statement– Public Policy to Protect Children From Tobacco, Nicotine, and Tobacco Smoke
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)– Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs, 2014- pages 6, 50
CDC– Health Equity in Tobacco Prevention and Control
National Academy of Medicine report– Ending the Tobacco Problem: A Blueprint for the Nation, 2007- Recommendation 5
Surgeon General report– The Health Consequences of Smoking— 50 Years of Progress, 2014- page 827
US Department of Health and Human Services– Ending the Tobacco Epidemic: A Tobacco Control Strategic Action Plan for the US Department of Health and Human Services- Strategic Actions 1 and 3
US Department of Housing and Urban Development– Smoke Free Housing- A Toolkit for Owners/Management Agents of Federally Assisted Public and Multi-family Housing
US Department of Housing and Urban Development– Smoke Free Housing- A Toolkit for Residents of Federally Assisted Public and Multi-family Housing
World Health Organization (WHO)– WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2008: The MPOWER Package- Intervention P

For more information:

AAP Issue Brief– Tobacco-free Environments
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids– Smoke-Free Laws
ChangeLab Solutions– Model Ordinance: Comprehensive Smokefree Places
Institute for Global Tobacco Control– The MPOWER framework and United Nations human rights treaties: An additional argument for the promotion of tobacco control goals
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene– The Cigar Trap
Public Health Law Center– Vehicles
Smoking Cessation Leadership Center– Tobacco-Free Toolkit for Community Health Facilities

Encourage the federal government to prohibit smoking in federally funded multi-unit housing

All places where children and adolescents learn, live, play and work (eg, schools, universities, child care settings, restaurants, public parks, multi-unit housing, sporting arenas and vehicles) should be smoke-free in order to discourage smoking initiation as well as exposure to secondhand and thirdhand smoke. Children and adolescents with chronic conditions (eg, asthma) face significant health harms from tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure. Those who suffer from chronic conditions, which are often not visible, could be at an even greater risk for adverse reactions if environments are not smoke or tobacco free.

Data shows that tobacco smoke does not stay confined within individual apartment units. Smoke from one apartment can harm others, especially children. There are no federal, state, or local laws that prevent a landlord, housing authority, or condominium association from adopting a 100% smoke-free policy. Multi-unit facilities have the right to adopt smoke-free policies. Products other than cigarettes should be included in these policies. For example, in the exhaled smoke or vapor, hookah, cigars and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS, or e-cigarettes) emit some of the same chemicals as cigarettes.

Warning: The tobacco industry is well-known for its effective marketing schemes and retaliation tactics. The industry battles potential smoke-free housing policies by contending that such policies will cost landlords and management companies money because people will not want to live there if they can’t smoke. Another frequently used argument is that proper ventilation will alleviate secondhand smoke exposure. Be aware of these tactics when looking to take action on this recommendation.

Recommended by:

AAP policy statement– Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems
AAP policy statement– Public Policy to Protect Children From Tobacco, Nicotine, and Tobacco Smoke
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)– Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs, 2014- pages 6, 50
CDC– Health Equity in Tobacco Prevention and Control
Surgeon General report– The Health Consequences of Smoking— 50 Years of Progress, 2014- page 827
US Department of Health and Human Services– Ending the Tobacco Epidemic: A Tobacco Control Strategic Action Plan for the US Department of Health and Human Services- Strategic Action 1
US Department of Housing and Urban Development– Smoke Free Housing- A Toolkit for Owners/Management Agents of Federally Assisted Public and Multi-family Housing
US Department of Housing and Urban Development– Smoke Free Housing- A Toolkit for Residents of Federally Assisted Public and Multi-family Housing
World Health Organization (WHO)– WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2008: The MPOWER Package- Intervention P

For more information:

AAP Issue Brief– Tobacco-free Environments
Institute for Global Tobacco Control– The MPOWER framework and United Nations human rights treaties: An additional argument for the promotion of tobacco control goals
Smoke-Free Environments Law Project
Tobacco Control Legal Consortium– There is No Constitutional Right to Smoke
US Department of Housing and Urban Development– Optional Smoke-Free Housing Policy Implementation

For more information about tobacco industry tactics:

Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights– Tobacco’s Dirty Tricks
Surgeon General Report– The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke- page 11

Tobacco-Free Schools

Encourage Congress to require schools and other educational facilities receiving federal funding to implement tobacco-free campus policies

All places where children and adolescents learn, live, play and work (ie, schools, universities, child care settings, restaurants, public parks, multi-unit housing, sporting arenas and vehicles) should be tobacco-free in order to discourage smoking initiation as well as exposure to secondhand and thirdhand smoke. Children and adolescents with chronic conditions (eg, asthma) face significant health harms from tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure. Those who suffer from chronic conditions, which are often not visible, could be at an even greater risk for adverse reactions if environments are not smoke or tobacco free.

Early childcare settings; schools; and trade schools, colleges, and universities are also workplaces for teachers, administrators, and support staff. These employees should also be protected from the risks posed by secondhand and thirdhand smoke exposure. Hookah, electronic nicotine delivery systems (including e-cigarettes), smokeless tobacco and flavored tobacco products should be included in such policies, as they are becoming more popular with youth.

Recommended by:

AAP policy statement– Clinical Practice Policy to Protect Children From Tobacco, Nicotine, and Tobacco Smoke
AAP policy statement– Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems
AAP policy statement– Public Policy to Protect Children From Tobacco, Nicotine, and Tobacco Smoke
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)– Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs, 2014- pages 6, 50
CDC– Health Equity in Tobacco Prevention and Control
National Academy of Medicine report– Ending the Tobacco Problem: A Blueprint for the Nation, 2007- Recommendations 8 & 9
Surgeon General report– The Health Consequences of Smoking— 50 Years of Progress, 2014- page 827
US Department of Health and Human Services– Ending the Tobacco Epidemic: A Tobacco Control Strategic Action Plan for the US Department of Health and Human Services- Strategic Actions 1 and 3
World Health Organization (WHO)– WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2008: The MPOWER Package- Intervention P

For more information:

AAP Issue Brief– Tobacco-free Environments
American Lung Association of Oregon– Model Policy for Head Start Programs
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids– Smoke-Free Laws
ChangeLab Solutions– Model Ordinance: Comprehensive Smokefree Places
Institute for Global Tobacco Control– The MPOWER framework and United Nations human rights treaties: An additional argument for the promotion of tobacco control goals
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene– The Cigar Trap
Public Health Law Center– Vehicles
University of Michigan– Smoke-free Campus Supervisor's Toolkit
US Department of Health and Human Services– Establishing a Smoke-Free Environment in Head Start Programs: Final Program Instruction
US Department of Health and Human Services– Tobacco-Free College Campus Initiative

Last Updated

05/05/2021

Source

American Academy of Pediatrics