Secondhand Smoke:
Secondhand smoke is a combination of smoke from a burning end of a
cigarette and the smoke exhaled by a smoker. Secondhand smoke contains
numerous harmful chemicals, which cause cancer.
Children are especially vulnerable to secondhand smoke. Exposure can
cause asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia. It can make colds and respiratory
illnesses worse and can increase the number of ear infections. Secondhand
smoke has also been linked to SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), miscarriages,
and low birth weight.
Secondhand smoke also harms adults. 30,000 – 60,000 adults die
each year from heart disease caused by secondhand smoke and an additional
3,000 non-smokers die from lung cancer.
Nevada Laws - Areas protected from secondhand smoke:
On November 7th 2006 Nevada voted to protect our children, friends,
and family members from secondhand smoke. As of December 8th 2006
smoking is no longer permitted in any indoor location. The only exceptions
are the following:
- Bars that do not serve food
- Casino gaming floors
- Tobacco shops
- Private residences (unless used for child care or health care)
- Hotel/Motel Rooms (if permitted by operator)
- Strip Clubs/Brothels
Filing a complaint - If you find a location that you believe should not be allowing
smoking a complaint can be filed via the Health Department's website
or by calling 775-328-2434. Please be aware that anonymous complaints are not accepted.
The Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act also gave local governments (ie: City of Reno, City
of Sparks & Washoe County) the authority to pass stricter laws about smoking and tobacco.
These governments do not have the authority to add more exceptions to the law.
For more information on the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act visit the Washoe County District
Health Department at www.washoecounty.us/health/cchs/smokingban.html.
Smoke Free Homes & Cars:
Although the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act protects more Nevadans from secondhand smoke
at work and school it doesn't do anything to protect you in your home or car. It is
important to ban smoking in these places, as the chemicals and smells from cigarette
smoke will remain in upholstery, carpet, and wall paint.
For a smoke free home sign visit: www.washoecounty.us/health/cchs/smokingban.html#sign.
To take the EPA's smoke free home pledge visit: www.epa.gov/smokefree/pledge/index.html.
Chew or Spit Tobacco:
Spit tobacco is a general term for any form of tobacco that is placed in the mouth.
Some common terms are oral or moist snuff, looseleaf, or plug. Common brands are
Copenhagen, Skoal, Grizzly and Kodiak.
Spit tobacco is not safer than cigarettes. Spit tobacco contains 28 ingredients that
have been proven to cause cancer of the mouth, esophagus, pharynx, larynx, stomach, and
pancreas. It also causes leukoplakia, a disease of the mouth characterized by white
patches and oral lesions on the cheeks, gums, and or tongue. It occurs in more than half
of all users in the first three years of use, and 60%-78% of all users have oral lesions.
Nicotine is the addictive ingredient in tobacco. The amount of nicotine absorbed from
spit tobacco is 3 to 4 times the amount delivered by a cigarettei. In other
words, one can of snuff or dip equals about four packs of cigarettesii.
Nicotine is absorbed more slowly from spit tobacco than from cigarettes, but more nicotine
per dose is absorbed from spit tobacco than from cigarettes. Also, the nicotine stays in
the bloodstream for a longer timeiii.
Click here for
more information on spit tobacco and what northern Nevadans are doing about it.
i, iii - Cancer.gov
ii - NSTEP.org
Quitting:
There are a number of local resources that can assist you or someone
you love in quitting tobacco. If you have tried to quit before, remember
that quitting takes practice.
- Download PDF about Smoking Cessation Opportunities in Washoe County.
- Nevada Tobacco Users Helpline – 1-888-866-6642. Nevada Tobacco
Users Helpline is a free telephone-based treatment for people who
have made the decision to quit using tobacco. Services are offered
in English and Spanish and Nicotine Replacement Therapy may be available
at a reduced cost. Additional information can be located at www.livingtobaccofree.org
- Saint Mary’s Health and Wellness – 770-7100 –
Breathe Easy Program is four group classes available in both English
and Spanish. Contact the program for the cost. Saint Mary’s
also offers one on one counseling for pregnant women interested in
quitting tobacco. **Low cost vouchers for Spanish speaking persons
are available by calling 328-3772.
- Renown – 982-5073 – Quit for Good Program
is four group classes and ongoing support. Contact the program for
the cost.
- American Lung Association – 829-5864 – Freedom from
Smoking is seven group classes. Contact the program for the cost.
They also offer a free on-line program at www.freedomfromsmoking.org.
- University of Nevada, Reno, Student Health Center 784-6598 –
For students and their family members on the university health care
coverage.
- Talk to your doctor or health care provider. There are a number
of prescriptions that may help some people.
- Alternative medicines – some have found alternative medicines
such as acupuncture and hypnosis helpful
Benefits of Quitting:
What happens when you quit? The benefits begin almost immediately and
get better and better.
Within 20 minutes – your blood pressure, pulse
rate and the temperature of your hands and feet return to normal.
Within 8 hours – oxygen level in the blood
increases to normal.
Within 24 hours – your risk of a heart attack
begins to drop
Within 2 days – your nerve endings start to
re-grow and your senses of smell and taste improve.
Within 3 days – your breathing gets easier
and your lung capacity increases
Within 2 weeks to 3 months – your circulation
improves, lung function improves up to 30% and walking gets easier.
Within 1-9 months – your lung cilia re-grow,
coughing, sinus problems and shortness of breath decrease; and you’ll
have more energy.
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