Let us be clear about it. Second-hand smoke also kills. It causes asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and ear infections in children. What is not yet clear is the air that we breathe. At least one third of children in the Region are exposed to second-hand smoke in their homes.
Many physicians smoke in hospitals and health clinics, even while treating patients.
And the almost universal exposure of hospitality sector workers to high levels of second-hand smoke is of grave concern. We must begin to view second-hand smoke as a key environmental threat to health. In the year 2000, smoking rates in Canada reached the lowest overall level since regular monitoring of smoking began in 1965. The Canadian Cancer Society is concerned about the use of tobacco products. They are committed to helping Canadians choose not to smoke, or to quit if they are already smokers.