Help Protect Yourself and Others From

Second Hand Smoke.

It's Worth it.

Consider this; It is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States, annually accounting for over 56,000 deaths. Only thirty minutes of exposure can cause a reduction in coronary flow velocity reserve. It is considered a Group A carcinogen, accompanied in this group by substances such as Asbestos, Gamma Radiation and the Hepatitis C virus. What is it I speak of you ask? Second Hand Smoke. This deadly toxin has been part of our environment for as long as records have been kept, but recently, as technology and knowledge have improved, so too has our understanding of the adverse effects of exposure to second hand smoke.

Many individuals, especially young people, do not aptly consider how often they are exposed. Walking behind someone smoking on campus, thirty minutes in a smoke filled bar or a meal at your favorite restaurant with a smoking section are all forms of exposure and can adversely affect your health. Some exposures are avoidable but many are not, it is for this reason one must carefully consider how to protect oneself and how to take action to help protect others. The solution to over exposure to second hand smoke is knowledge, how to attain it and how to spread it to others.

Our knowledge of second hand smoke exposure has revealed that the key to protection is awareness. To take the first step to protection, one must carefully consider their surroundings throughout a normal day and consciously think about where possible exposures may occur. When planning your day, a conscious effort to avoid exposure to second hand smoke can make a great difference in the amount of time you are exposed. Avoiding smoke filled bars and restaurants and attempting to use alternate doors to certain buildings can have a marked effect on the amount of exposure you have. To aid the population in the protection of their health, many establishments in the Kirksville, Missouri area have gone completely smoke free and can be recognized by the Breathe-Easy logo which is placed on their front door. Seek out these establishments and avoid those which will increase your exposure.

Once you have become aware of how to protect yourself, the next step is to advocate for the protection of others. Initially this can be done by simply informing friends and encouraging them to pass on the word. Word of mouth is a powerful tool in prevention and with an initiative such as this it, can make a marked difference. To become more involved in the advocation for and protection of others, a student organization, Peers Against Second Hand Smoke or PASS, has been chartered on Truman State University’s campus and is open to all students. This organization, along with Bahccus and Gamma, Eta Sigma Gamma and the Student Public Health Association, has an initiative to help increase awareness of the dangers of second hand smoke as well as programs to help those who do smoke quit.

Awareness within our community can make it a safer place for all by eliminating exposure to the toxins contained in second hand smoke. The measures you learn to protect yourself can easily be passed to others to help protect them. Be the person in Kirksville who makes the difference, help eliminate second hand smoke exposure on Truman’s campus and in the Kirksville community.

~ Greg Day