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Information Page #2
Why Are Smokefree Apartment Buildings Needed?
Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS),
also known as secondhand smoke, drifts. It is not always contained
within the walls of the smoker's apartment.
According to John Howard, M.D., Chief of the California Division
of Occupational Safety and Health (CAL OSHA):
"Tobacco smoke travels from its point of generation in a
building to all
other areas of the building. It has been shown to move through
light fixtures, through ceiling crawl spaces, and into and out
of doorways."
"Once exposed, building occupants are at risk for the irritant,
allergic, acute and chronic cardiopulmonary and carcinogenic
adverse health effects which are known to be associated with
environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure."
In addition, tobacco smoke can enter an apartment from the open
window of another tenant, or from patios and balconies. It can
move through hallways and stairs.
What Are Some of the Risks of Secondhand
Smoke?
Secondhand smoke is a Class A carcinogen.
That means it is known to cause cancer in humans, with no safe
level of exposure. (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1993.)
Secondhand smoke is responsible for up to 300,000 serious breathing
illnesses each year in infants and children. (U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, 1993.)
According to the California Environmental protection Agency,
which released an eight-volume study of secondhand smoke in 1997,
secondhand smoke is a direct cause of lung cancer, nasal sinus
cancer, heart disease, and sudden infant death syndrome.
Are There Some People Who Are Especially
Vulnerable to Secondhand Smoke?
People with chronic illnesses are
especially vulnerable to secondhand smoke, since it aggravates
and increases the symptoms of the illnesses.
According to the American Lung Association, the estimated prevalence
of chronic lung disease (asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis)
is over 11.5% of the population.
Over 60 million Americans (more than one in four) have one or
more types of cardiovascular disease. Once in five people suffer
with allergies according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation.
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The Smokefree Apartment House
Registry is administered by S.A.F.E. (Smokefree Air For Everyone)
and Community Partners, Los Angeles. The Registry is made possible
by funds through the Proposition 99 Tax Initiative. |
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Page 1
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What is the Smokefree Apartment
House Registry? |
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Page 2
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Why Are Smokefree Apartment
Buildings Needed? |
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Page 3
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What Laws Might be Applicable? |
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Page 4
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Suggestions for Transitioning
to and Managing Smokefree Apartment Buildings |
Comments? Questions? EMail Smokefree
Apartment House Registry
Created 06/19/02 - Updated 08.04.2004
- Built by Nightwatch
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