Secondhand Smoke Effects - Research Paper Example

The Health Hazards of Secondhand Smoke Empirical studies discovered that secondhandsmoke can lead to heart disorder in nonsmoking individuals. The health effects of cigarette smoking affect not just the smokers but nonsmokers as well. Secondhand smoke is a complicated mixture of gases and particles and involves smoke from pipe tobacco and cigarettes (Friedmann 39). Secondhand smoke results in thousands of deaths from coronary heart disease and lung cancer every year. It is particularly dangerous to children and has been found out as a major source of health disorders, such as respiratory diseases, among children (Leader para 6-12).

Therefore, it is important to identify and understand the health effects of secondhand smoke in order to develop appropriate solutions and policies. This is not just a major concern for individuals, but also for the government, the health sector, and the community. The problems associated with secondhand smoke have become the central emphasis of a public health discourse that has for decades continued unmanageably. Policymakers are gradually gaining knowledge of the harmful impacts of secondhand smoke to individuals.

According to MedicineNet.com, thousands of nonsmoking Americans die every year from breathing in tobacco smoke. Inhaling tobacco smoke can be toxic to anybody, but it is particularly lethal to young children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory disorders (Owing 146). According to the 2006 statement of the Surgeon General, “there is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure. Even brief exposures can be harmful to children” (Truglio-Londrigan & Lewenson 131). Very young children are usually the neglected victims of secondhand smoke.

It is doubtful whether or not children can stay away from cigarette or tobacco smoke at home or in public places, but it is unquestionable that they cannot avoid cigarette or tobacco smoke in an enclosed or moving space like a car. Even though numerous empirical studies have largely addressed public perceptions about the health threats of smoking to individuals, only a handful of studies have focused on people’s understanding of secondhand smoke. A 1986 national survey discovered that 81 percent of the population believed that secondhand smoke was harmful to the health of smokers and nonsmokers alike (Owing 146).

Other investigations have acquired the same results among adolescents. Although this knowledge of secondhand smoke seems to be quite constant over time, there are specific groups that could be less informed of the harmful health impacts of secondhand smoke. A large number of Asian Americans are one of these groups (Owing 146). An accurate understanding of the harmful effects of secondhand smoke on the health and physical condition of children and infants is significantly greater than among adults, mainly due to the observable susceptibility of children to adult practices and habits (Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights 1).

In a study carried out in Missouri, 95 percent of the population was knowledgeable of the harmful impacts of secondhand smoke on children (Owing 146). The same findings were acquired by other researchers who reported that 87 percent of the population claimed that secondhand smoke was harmful to the health of the very young whereas 65 percent said that it is irritating as well (Owing 146). In addition, these findings showed a relationship between awareness of the health impacts of secondhand smoke and smoking condition, ethnic or racial affiliation, and age.

African Americans, younger people, and nonsmokers were more likely to recognize the hazards of secondhand smoke to the health of very young children and were more irritated by smoking than other groups, existing smokers and White people (Committee on Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Acute Coronary Events & Institute of Medicine 118-120). The health hazards of secondhand smoke are widely substantiated by researchers, health professionals, and numerous sectors of the society but are poorly recognized by Asian Americans.

One main reason for this inadequate knowledge of the health hazards of secondhand smoke is the inadequacy of studies on the issue in Asian American populations. Poor awareness is worsened by the fact that a large number of Asian Americans are recent immigrants from nations where cigarette and tobacco is highly allowed and largely ignored (Owing 146-147). For instance, an investigation of Vietnamese smokers discovered that very few of them recognize the damaging impacts of secondhand smoke on other individuals, especially children (Owing 147).

In general, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), although there is a wealth of studies on the knowledge of the harmful health impacts of secondhand smoke, there is an evident inconsistency in studies of the possible correlation between secondhand smoke and practices intended to lessen or prevent exposure to secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke is a serious, avoidable cause of chronic and acute health disorders that affect not just children, but individuals from all walks of life.

The challenge now is for policymakers, health officials, and communities to mitigate this growing public health problem. But the question is how these sectors would raise awareness of the harmful health effects of secondhand smoke. Raising awareness should be the first step of any programs designed to solve this problem. Works Cited Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights. “Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke on Children.” Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights, Sept. 2009. Web. 13 Dec. 2012. Committee on Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Acute Coronary Events & Institute of Medicine.

Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Cardiovascular Effects: Making Sense of the Evidence. New York: National Academies Press, 2010. Print. EPA. “Health Effects of Exposure to Secondhand Smoke.” United States Environmental Protection Agency, 30 Nov. 2011. Web. 13 Dec. 2012. Friedmann, Patty. Secondhand Smoke. New York: Penguin Group USA, Inc., 2004. Print. Leader, Deborah. “The Health Risks of Secondhand Smoke.” About.Com, 6 June 2008. Web. 13 Dec. 2012. MedicineNet.com. “Secondhand Smoke Pictures Slideshow: The Dangers and Effects.

” MedicineNet.com, 10 June 2010. Web. 13 Dec. 2012. Owing, J.H. Focus on Smoking and Health Research. New York: Nova Publishers, 2005. Print. Truglio-Londrigan, Marie & Sandra Lewenson. Public Health Nursing. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2010. Print.