Sign this Letter to Acknowledge the Harms of Secondhand Smoke and a Smoke-Free Indoor Environment!

This letter, created by UT Health San Antonio's "Mil Gracias for Not Smoking Indoors" campaign, shares the dangers of secondhand smoke, which has killed millions and is linked to cancer, heart disease, and more, with decision-makers who can share this information with the public.

Dear decision-makers,

I agree with the science that proves secondhand smoke exposure is harmful:

• Secondhand smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals.
• "Hundreds [of these chemicals] are toxic, and about 70 can cause cancer," according to the CDC.
• Secondhand smoke has been linked to cancers of the larynx (voice box), pharynx (throat), brain, bladder, rectum, stomach, and breast.
• Since 1964, 2.5 million adults who were nonsmokers died because they breathed secondhand smoke.
• Health effects of secondhand smoke also include more frequent and severe asthma attacks, respiratory infections, ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
• "There is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke," according to the CDC.
• Children exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to require hospitalization and intubation for influenza. We expect this is similar for other viral infections like COVID-19.

Many cities have made great progress in reducing exposure to secondhand smoke. In San Antonio, smoking is not allowed inside restaurants, bars, parks, and public housing.

But more could be done.

Providing education on secondhand smoke and resources for quitting smoking can improve people's health by decrease their susceptibility to COVID-19.

Reducing smoking, vaping, and exposure to secondhand smoke can help flatten the COVID-19 curve.

A rising wave of scientists, epidemiologists, clinicians, and other experts believe that airborne spread of COVID-19 is both real and dangerous.

This has the potential to make secondhand smoke even more harmful, especially in indoor spaces like apartments and other multifamily dwellings where neighbors have no choice about the air they share.

¡Mil gracias! 

Sincerely, A Concerned Citizen