Vital Signs: Nonsmokers’ Exposure to Secondhand Smoke—United States, 1999-2008

Secondhand exposure to tobacco smoke causes heart disease and lung cancer in nonsmoking adults and sudden infant death syndrome, acute respiratory infections, middle ear disease, exacerbated asthma, respiratory symptoms, and decreased lung function in children. No risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure exists. Levels of secondhand smoke exposure among U.S. nonsmokers have fallen substantially during the past 20 years. However, millions of nonsmokers remain exposed to secondhand smoke in homes, workplaces, public places, and vehicles. Here, Kaufman et al describe recent trends in secondhand smoke exposure among nonsmokers by analyzing levels of Serum cotinine, a metabolite of nicotine that reflects recent exposure.