Apr 9, 2009 8:15 pm US/Eastern
Health Dept.: NYC Second-Hand Smoke An Epidemic
Studies Show Children Are Most Susceptible To Problems
Reporting
Cindy Hsu
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
More people have quit smoking in New York City than anywhere in the country. But when it comes to second-hand smoke, New Yorkers are in trouble.
A new Health Department study says 57 percent of non-smokers in NYC have been exposed to substantial levels of second-hand smoke. That's 12 percent higher than other parts of the country. Experts say part of the problem is the close quarters in which New Yorkers live and work.
"They're walking in and out of clouds of smoke along the sidewalks. Potentially within apartment buildings second-hand smoke may be infiltrating from one apartment to another," said Department of Health Deputy Commissioner Lorna Thorpe.
Thorpe exposure to second-hand smoke can be deadly -- and is responsible for 30,000 heart disease deaths every year, and 3,000 lung cancer deaths.
Second-hand smoke is especially bad for children. When parents smoke babies are more likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome. Children suffer from more illnesses such as asthma and teenagers are more likely to become smokers themselves.
Chelcea Holfman started smoking at 16, but is trying to protect her younger siblings.
"I don't smoke around my house, around my brothers and sisters. I don't do that because I don't find that it's appropriate," Holfman said.
Melissa Mulcahy said it's so tough to quit, that non-smokers are out of luck.
"Nobody's going to stop because of second-hand smoke, because it's hard for people," Mulcahy said.
Robert Pena has been trying for more than 20 years.
"I'm looking for that willpower; I'm looking for that drive; I'm looking for the excuse to stop," Pena said.
The Health Department is hoping public service announcements will get through to smokers, along with the highest cigarette prices in the country. Tobacco taxes have driven up the cost to $9 a pack.
If you need help kicking the habit, New York state operates a smokers "quit-line." For more information, please click here.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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