ETS

Smokers only inhale 15% of the total smoke in a cigarette.
The other 85% goes into the air. This "Environmental Tobacco
Smoke" (ETS) is a combination of exhaled smoke and "side-stream"
smoke, which is what comes off of the cigarette between puffs. ETS
has more tar, nicotine, carbon monoxide and other chemicals than
the smoke inhaled by the smoker.

It is estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) that nearly 9 out of 10 non-smokers in America are exposed
to ETS. As reported by the CDC in a recent article in the "Journal of
the American Medical Association," there are measurable levels of
cotinine (a by-product of nicotine) in the blood serum of88 percent
of all non-tobacco users. This means that 88% of non-tobacco users
(including children) are exposed to the harmful effects of tobacco
smoke.

In 1993, a report from the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA)comprehensively analyzed respiratory studies on the health
effects of ETS, and concluded that ETS was responsible for lung
cancer in adult non-smokers and for serious respiratory problems in
children. The EPA has classified ETS as a Group A carcinogen
(known to cause cancer in humans).

Coping with the behavior of others around you is especially
difficult when it affects your health as well as theirs. If you are the
love done of a smoker, there are some tips you can use to make your
home a healthy one:

• LIMIT SETTING: Set personal limits for yourself by asking
  smokers not to smoke around you and by negotiating smoke-free
  areas for yourself.
• UNCONDITIONAL POSITIVE REGARD: Separate your relationship
  with your loved ones from their smoking behavior. Let them know
  that you will continue to care about them no matter what decisions
  they make about smoking -- but you would like them to stop because
  you care about them.
• OTHER ACTIVITIES: Help them replace smoking behavior with
  other stress-reducing activities like reading or exercise.
• THEIR CHOICE: Accept that you can't force, bribe, or coerce
  someone to quit smoking. Tell them you understand that they
  will quit when they feel ready.
• REFERRAL: Give them information on how to stop smoking on
  their own. Call 1-800-4CANCER. If they are age 50 or over,
  ask them to call Project50 at 1-888-222-3993 (273-3871 in
  Monroe County).Project50 is a free self-help program that
  does not involve any classes or face to face meetings.

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