Secondhand smoking poses an "indisputable" health risk to Americans, U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona said in a report on Tuesday.

"The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke" documents the dangers associated with secondhand smoke. Carmona said hundreds of studies have shown "beyond any doubt" that secondhand smoke causes heart disease and lung cancer in adults and sudden infant death syndrome and respiratory problems in children.

"Only smoke-free environments effectively protect nonsmokers from secondhand smoke exposure in indoor spaces," he said.

The Indian Health Service has banned smoking in its facilities. But a poll showed that support for such policies in other public places was mixed among Native Americans.

A majority, or 55 percent, of American Indians and Alaska Natives support smoke-free restaurants, according to a national survey. This was on par with other racial and ethnic groups, except for Hispanics, who overwhelmingly support bans on smoking in public places.

But only 31 percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives said they supported smoke-free bars. This was the lowest rate of all racial and ethnic groups except for non-Hispanic whites.

An overwhelming percentage, of 76 percent, of American Indians and Alaska Natives support smoke-free sports arenas. This was on par with other racial and ethnic groups.

With regard to smoke-free workplaces, 71 percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives supported them. This was the lowest rate of all racial and ethnic groups.

Get the Story:
U.S. Details Dangers of Secondhand Smoking (The Washington Post 6/28)
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A Warning on Hazards of Secondhand Smoke (The New York Times 6/28)
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Relevant Documents:
Press Release: New Surgeon General�s Report Focuses on the Effects of Secondhand Smoke | The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General

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