The report is based on the New York City Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 2004, one year after the implementation of the New York City’s smoke-free air law.
These data suggest that many non-smokers are not fully protected by the current law, as residents are still exposed to second-hand smoke while on sidewalks and near building and subways entrances. The federal government has implemented regulations to prohibit smoking within 25 feet of federal building entrances to address public complaints and health concerns, with several cities and states also prohibiting smoking near all buildings.
Cotinine is a by-product of nicotine metabolism used to measure exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, and is present in higher levels in smokers than in non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke. Elevated cotinine levels in blood suggest exposure to toxic second-hand smoke in concentrations high enough to leave residue in the body. Second-hand smoke is believed to cause several forms of cancer and heart disease in adults, as well as significant health problems in children.
“Tobacco smoke is a toxic pollutant,” stated Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, the New York City Health Commissioner. “Most New York City non-smokers are breathing in dangerous chemicals in second-hand smoke, potentially increasing the risk of cancer and heart disease. Households with a smoker should set a ‘no smoking’ policy at home to protect the family. We encourage all New Yorkers who smoke to quit — this is the best way to protect yourself and others.”
Health Department researchers conducted face-to-face interviews, physical exams and laboratory tests to assess various health issues, ranging from diabetes to depression. The survey included 1,999 New York City adults age 20 or older, 1,767 (88 percent) of whom were tested for cotinine levels.
Lower-income New Yorkers were found to have a greater likelihood of the second-hand smoke exposure than residents with higher incomes (63 percent versus 54 percent), while Asian adults were found to have the highest likelihood of having elevated cotinine levels (69 percent) of all tested non-smokers. Previous studies across the U.S. have shown that Asian Americans were more likely to smoke in the privacy of their own home.
“The study provides more evidence of the pervasiveness of second-hand smoke,” said Jennifer Ellis, PhD, a former Health Department epidemiologist and the lead author of the study. “It’s not clear why New Yorkers experience more exposure, despite the city’s relatively low smoking rate. It may be that living and working in close quarters with one another puts us at higher risk.”
The number of adult smokers in New York City has decreased by 300,000 (21 percent) since 2002, while the number of youth smokers has declined by 52 percent. The Health Department has implemented several educational public service announcements, anti-smoking educational campaigns and nicotine replacement therapy giveaways to promote smoke-free environment across the city. The Heath Department also enforces compliance with the Smoke-Free Air Act, which provides protection against second-hand smoke in work environments, and reports the current compliance rate to be 95 percent.
