Vital Signs: Nonsmokers’ Exposure to Secondhand Smoke — United States, 1999–2008

Secondhand exposure to tobacco smoke causes heart disease and lung cancer in nonsmoking adults and sudden infant death syndrome, acute respiratory infections, middle ear disease, exacerbated asthma, respiratory symptoms, and decreased lung function in children. This Vital Signs report indicates that secondhand smoke exposure has declined in the United States, but that 88 million nonsmokers aged ≥3 years are still exposed. Progress in reducing exposure has slowed, and disparities in exposure persist, with children being among the most exposed.

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