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Background: Secondhand exposure to tobacco smoke causes heart disease and lung cancer in nonsmoking adults and sudden infant death syndrome, acute respiratory infections, middle ear disease, exacerbated asthma, respiratory symptoms, and decreased lung function in children. Methods: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 1999-2008 were analyzed to determine the proportion of the nonsmoking population with serum cotinine (the primary nicotine metabolite) levels =0.05 ng/mL, by age, sex, race/ethnicity, household income level, and to determine whether the household included a person who smoked inside the home. Results: During 2007-2008, approximately 88 million nonsmokers aged =3 years in the United States were exposed to secondhand smoke. he prevalence of serum cotinine levels =0.05 ng/mL in the nonsmoking population declined signiicantly from 52.5% (95% CI = 47.1%-57.9%) during 1999-2000 to 40.1% (95% CI = 35.0%-45.3%) during 2007-2008. he decline was signiicant for each sex, age, race/ethnicity, and income group studied except non-Hispanic whites. he change was greatest from 1999-2000 to 2001-2002. For every period throughout the study, prevalence was highest among males, non-Hispanic blacks, children (aged 3-11 years) and youths (aged 12-19 years), and those in households below the federal poverty level. Conclusions: Secondhand smoke exposure has declined in the United States, but 88 mil- lion nonsmokers aged =3 years are still exposed, progress in reducing exposure has slowed, and disparities in exposure persist, with children being among the most exposed. Nearly all nonsmokers who live with someone who smokes inside their home are exposed to secondhand smoke. Implications for public health practice: he only way to protect nonsmokers fully is to eliminate smoking in indoor spaces. Continued eforts at smoking cessation and comprehensive statewide laws prohibiting smoking in workplaces and public places are needed to ensure that all nonsmokers are protected from this serious health hazard. Health-care providers should educate patients and parents about the dangers of secondhand smoke and follow clinical care guidelines to help smokers quit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cigarette smoking continues to be the leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in the United States, causing approximately 443,000 premature deaths annually. Methods: he 2009 National Health Interview Survey and the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used to estimate national and state adult smoking prevalence, respectively. Cigarette smokers were deined as adults aged =18 years who reported having smoked =100 cigarettes in their lifetime and now smoke every day or some days. Results: In 2009, 20.6% of U.S. adults aged =18 years were current cigarette smokers. Men (23.5%) were more likely than women (17.9%) to be current smokers. he prevalence of smoking was 31.1% among persons below the federal poverty level. For adults aged =25 years, the prevalence of smoking was 28.5% among persons with less than a high school diploma, compared with 5.6% among those with a graduate degree. Regional diferences were observed, with the West having the lowest prevalence (16.4%) and higher prevalences being observed in the South (21.8%) and Midwest (23.1%). From 2005 to 2009, the proportion of U.S. adults who were current cigarette smokers did not change (20.9% in 2005 and 20.6% in 2009). Conclusions: Previous declines in smoking prevalence in the United States have stalled during the past 5 years; the burden of cigarette smoking continues to be high, especially in persons living below the federal poverty level and with low educational attainment. Sustained, adequately funded, comprehensive tobacco control programs could reduce adult smoking. Implications for Public Health Practice: To further reduce disease and death from cigarette smoking, declines in cigarette smoking among adults must accelerate. he Patient Protection and Afordable Care Act is expected to expand access to evidence-based smoking-cessation services and treatments; this likely will result in additional use of these services and reductions of current smoking and its adverse efects among U.S. adults. Population-based prevention strategies such as tobacco taxes, media campaigns, and smoke-free policies, in concert with clinical cessation interventions, can help adults quit and prevent the uptake of tobacco use, furthering the reduction in the current prevalence of tobacco use in the United States across age groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on an analysis by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of 2000-2009 data from the National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) in a bid to monitor trends in terms of tobacco use among middle and high school students. Data show that 8.2% of middle school students and 23.9% of high school students admitted using tobacco products. It adds that prevalence of tobacco use did not pose a decline in both groups from 2006 to 2009. It recommends the implementation of tobacco control policies to control tobacco use among the youth.

The article summarizes the findings from a U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) analysis of data regarding smoking prevalence among adults in the U.S. The findings indicate that in 2006 about 20.8% of U.S. adults were current cigarette smokers which remained unchanged since 2004. Also noted is the higher prevalence rate of current smoking among those diagnosed with a smoking-related chronic disease than those who are without chronic diseases.

Presents the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analysis of self-reported data on cigarette smoking from the 2003 National Health Interview Survey. Percentage of U.S. adults who were current smokers; Variation in the prevalence of cigarette smoking; Increase in the prevalence of smoking among persons aged 18-24 during 1983-2003.

Presents the results of the National Youth Tobacco Survey conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2002 to 2004. Data on the percentage of middle school students and their tobacco habit; Decline in the prevalence of youth smoking; Limitations of the study.

Discusses the prevalence of cigarette use among racial/ethnic populations in the U.S. during 1999-2001. Primary racial/ethnic minority populations in the country; Data used for the "Tobacco Use Among U.S. Racial/Ethnic Minority Groups" report of the U.S. Surgeon General; Prevalence of cigarette use among youths.

The article focuses on the assessment of the prevalence of cigarette smoking among youths aged 12-17 years in six major racial/ethnic populations and nine Asian or Hispanic subpopulations in the United States by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Analysis indicate that the estimated prevalence of cigarette smoking in the age group ranged from 23.1% for American Indians/Alaska Natives to 2.2% for Vietnamese.

Presents information on the clean indoor air law implemented in the state of New York requiring indoor workplaces and public places to be smoke-free effective July 24, 2003. Assessment of changes in indoor air quality in hospitality venues before and after the implementation of the law; Information on the number of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure- related deaths in the U.S.; Impact of the implementation of the law on the level of SHS exposure in hospitality venues.