Secondhand Smoke: Making Sense of the Evidence

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Nearly three of four U.S. adults have at least one major risk factor for heart disease. Yet, only 40 percent of Americans live in areas with comprehensive state or local laws that ban smoking in public places.

A new report, Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Cardiovascular Effects: Making Sense of the Evidence, released October 15, provides a comprehensive review of the science on the relationship between secondhand smoke exposure and acute coronary events. The report was requested by CDC, but the review was conducted independently by the Institute of Medicine (IOM).

Major conclusions of the report:

• Exposures to secondhand smoke could cause acute coronary events, such as a heart attack.
• Evidence suggests that even brief secondhand smoke exposure might trigger a heart attack.
• Smoke-free bans decrease acute coronary events.

Resources

The report is available for purchase on the National Academies' Web site. On the site, the report can be read and printed, page-by-page, but is not available to print or download in full. A Report in Brief is also available on the site.

CDC's Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention page as well as CDC’s Smoking and Tobacco Use page has additional information and links to the IOM report.

Spread the Word

CDC’s partners can help spread the word about the effects of secondhand smoke by hosting a Web button or badge on their Web site or social network profile. Visit CDC’s Buttons and Badges Gallery, for more details.