PCD News Summary for September 8, 2020

About the Journal: Published every Thursday, Preventing Chronic Disease (PCD) is a peer-reviewed online journal established by CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. The News Media Branch prepares press summary packets each week. To receive these press summaries on an embargoed basis, send an e-mail to media@cdc.gov. Please note that this e-mail list is for credentialed journalists only. All others, please visit Hookup to Health to sign up for e-mail updates.

Notice to News Media – PCD Release Time and Embargo Policy:
CDC’s News Media Branch releases to reporters the PCD media packet every Tuesday afternoon between 12 and 2 pm.

Embargoed until Thursday, September 10, at 12:00 PM ET

Exposure to Secondhand Smoke in Homes and Vehicles Among U.S. Youths, United States, 2011–2019

Although progress has been made in enacting comprehensive smoke-free indoor air laws in public settings, private settings such as homes and vehicles remain major sources of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure for some populations, including youth. The adverse health effects of SHS exposure from combustible tobacco products are well established; there is no risk-free level of SHS exposure. This study reports the prevalence of self-reported SHS exposure in homes and vehicles among U.S. middle and high school students in 2019, and changes in SHS exposure over time.  In 2019, 25.3% (6.7 million) of  U.S. middle and high school students reported home SHS exposure, and 23.3% (6.1 million) reported vehicle SHS exposure. SHS exposure in homes and vehicles significantly declined during 2011 through 2018, except for SHS exposure in homes among non-Hispanic Black students. Implementation of smoke-free policies in both public and private settings, including homes and vehicles, can help reduce SHS exposure, particularly among youth.

Robin Scala
Office on Smoking and Health
Senior Press Officer
Office Phone: (770) 488-5488
Cell Phone:  (770) 265-5757
RScala@cdc.gov

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Note: Not all articles published in PCD represent work done at CDC. In your stories, please clarify whether a study was conducted by CDC (“a CDC study”) or by another institution (“a study published by CDC”). The opinions expressed by authors contributing to PCD do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CDC or the institutions with which the authors are affiliated. PCD requests that, when possible, you include a live link to the article in your stories. 

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