Breathe Healthily, Live Happily

If you would like to quit visit www.waytoquit.org. If Select Health is your insurance provider you can also visit www.quitnow.net/program. If you complete a smoking cessation course you can earn 2 hours of vacation. See the activity menu for details.

Even if you've never picked up a cigarette in your life, most likely you still recognize the acrid smell of tobacco smoke. Most of us have been exposed not only to the smell, but to the dangers of second hand smoke. 

Secondhand smoke (SHS) is also known an environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). SHS is a mixture of 2 forms of smoke that come from burning tobacco:

1. Sidestream smoke: Smoke from the lighted end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar
2. Mainstream smoke: The smoke or vapor exhaled by a smoker

Even though we think of these as the same, they aren't. Sidestream smoke has higher concentrations of cancer-causing agents (carcinogens) and is more toxic than mainstream smoke. And, it has smaller particles than mainstream smoke. These smaller particles make their way into the lungs and the body's cells more easily. The more SHS you breathe, the higher the level of these harmful chemicals in your body.

According to the 2014 Surgeon General's Report, there have been more than 20 million smoking-related deaths in the United State since 1964; 2.5 million of those deaths were among non-smokers who died from exposure to secondhand smoke. During that same time, 100,000 babies have died due to parental smoking (including smoking during pregnancy).

What can you do to protect yourself and your family? With planning, you can reduce or eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke. Start with these simple steps:

• Don't allow smoking in your home. If family members or guests want to smoke, ask them to step outside. Air conditioners and ventilation systems don't effectively remove secondhand smoke from the air. To receive a FREE smoke-free home kit, call (801) 399-7195, email our staff or stop by the WMHD Health Promotions office.
• Don't allow smoking in your vehicle. If a passenger must smoke while you're traveling, stop as needed for smoke breaks outside the car.
• Be aware of clean air laws and regulations. In Utah, we are lucky to have laws that ban smoking, including e-cigarettes and hookah, from any indoor public place. If you see someone violating this law don't hesitate to inform the business owner and contact your local health department. Further, in Weber and Morgan Counties, there is a regulation that disallows smoking in outdoor public places.

If you have a partner or other loved one who smokes, offer support and encouragement to stop smoking. The entire family will reap the benefits!