Why is it important to protect nonsmokers from second hand smoke?
Secondhand smoke is a leading cause of preventable death in the United States. In 2005, it was estimated that, each year exposure to secondhand smoke in the United States kills more than 3,000 adult nonsmokers from lung cancer and approximately 46,000 from coronary heart disease. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke causes premature death and disease in children and in adults who do not smoke.
