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Environmental Tobacco Smoke and the
Utah Indoor Clean Air Act Second hand smoke is a mixture of smoke given off by the burning end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar, and the smoke exhaled from the lungs of smokers. This mixture contains more than 4,000 substances, more than 40 of which are know to cause cancer in humans or animals and many of which are strong irritants.
In recent years there has been a focus on determining what impact exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), or second hand smoke as it is sometimes called, has. As a result, it has become increasingly clear that exposure to ETS is also linked to a significant number of health problems.
Since the early 1970s the number of studies conducted about second hand smoke and environmental tobacco smoke have increased dramatically. Study after study links exposure to ETS with both major and minor health problems. Unlike some substances, there is no "safe" level of exposure to ETS. Health problems associated with second hand smoke exposure include:
· Lung cancer
· Higher death rates from cardiovascular disease in non-smokers
· Headaches
· Irritation of the eye, nose and throat
· Irritation of the lungs leading to coughing, excess phlegm, and reduced lung function
· Dizziness or nausea in nonsmokers
· 150,000-300,000 lower respiratory infections in children
· 200,000-1,000,000 asthma attacks in children
· 8,000-26,000 new cases of asthma in children
· Respiratory symptoms of irritation in children
· Significantly reduced lung function in children
To reduce the health risks of exposure to second-hand smoke, the SLVHD enforces the Utah Indoor Clean Air Act, a law that prohibits smoking in publicly accessible places, including restrooms, and in public and privately-owned buildings. Additionally,
· Smoking is not permitted in Utah restaurants, hotel, motel, and bed and breakfast common areas, including dining rooms, lobbies, and corridors. Smoking may be allowed in designated individual guestrooms.
· Smoking within 25 feet of building entrances is prohibited. Look for designated smoking areas or ask the building manager where smoking is allowed.
· Keep Utah clean by placing cigarette butts in appropriate ashtrays.
· Utah law prohibits anyone under age 19 to purchase, possess, or use tobacco, even with parental permission. It is also against Utah law to give tobacco to anyone under age 19.
The SLVHD is one of the best resources to check with if you have questions regarding the Utah Indoor Clean Air Act in Salt Lake County. It is also the SLVHD who responds to complaints from managers, employees, customers, or visitors who believe a violation of the Act is occurring, and enforces the regulation. Many violations of the Utah Indoor Clean Air Act seem to occur because a building manager, manager, owner or supervisor either didn't know what the law required, made incorrect assumptions, or picked up hearsay from someone. Contacting the SLVHD before a problem occurs can help you avoid costly mistakes by consulting with you about any questions you may have.
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