A report from the Surgeon General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services concluded that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Breathing even a little second hand smoke can be harmful. The Surgeon General has concluded that the only way to fully protect yourself and your loved ones from the dangers of secondhand smoke is through 100% smoke-free environments. Opening a window, sitting in a separate area, or using ventilation, air conditioning, or a fan cannot eliminate secondhand smoke exposure.

• Making your home and car smoke-free
• Asking people not to smoke around you and your children
• Making sure that your children’s day care center or school is smoke-free
• Choosing restaurants and other businesses that are smoke-free. Thanking businesses for being smoke-free. Letting owners of businesses that are not smoke-free know that secondhand smoke is harmful to your family’s health
• Teaching children to stay away from secondhand smoke
• Avoiding secondhand smoke exposure especially if you or your children have respiratory conditions, if you have heart disease, or if you are pregnant
• Talking to your doctor or healthcare provider more about the dangers of secondhand smoke.