The Economic Impact of Secondhand Smoke on Marion County, Indiana: Annual Cost is $56 Million

A Marion County Health Department commissioned study indicates exposure to secondhand smoke cost the county more than $56 million in 2000. 

"The cost of health care and the premature loss of life attributed to secondhand smoke in Marion County is too high, and we must do all we can as a community to combat this public health threat," said Virginia A. Caine, director, Marion County Health Department. 

Secondhand smoke contains at least 250 chemicals known to be toxic or carcinogenic. 

In adults, secondhand smoke causes lung cancer, nasal sinus cancer, heart disease, stroke, cervical cancer and asthma. In children, perinatal death, sudden infant death syndrome, low birth weight, asthma and bronchitis were among health issues caused by secondhand smoke. 

Exposure to secondhand smoke at home for children in Indiana is also higher than the national average. 

It is estimated that 27.5% of children in Indiana are exposed to secondhand smoke, above the national average of 22%. In Marion County, a four-year study recently reported 65% of Indianapolis Public School middle school students are exposed to secondhand smoke at home. 

"The information we have concerning secondhand smoke exposure furthers our resolve to be relentless in educating our residents about the health and economic costs secondhand smoke has on our community," said Dr. Caine. 

Among recommendations drawn by the report: Continued education for the community, policy makers, and businesses about the health impact and costs of secondhand smoke in Marion County; Development of strategies to eliminate smoking on business and institutional campuses including schools, colleges, universities, day care centers, restaurants and other food or beverage service establishments; The strict enforcement of no smoking restrictions in all public areas; Improve support systems for smoking cessation programs by the health department, businesses and health care providers; and Encourage smokers to not smoke in common or shared areas. The health department report follows earlier studies indicating smoking rates in Marion County and Indiana are higher than national averages. 

"The smoking rate for U.S. adults is 23.2%, while Indiana has a 26.9% rate and Marion County has a 28.2% adult smoking rate," said Terrell W. Zollinger, Dr. P.H., professor and associate director of the Bowen Research Center at IUPUI, and director of this study. 

Of even greater concern is the number of women who smoke during pregnancy.  Nationally, the average number of women who smoke during pregnancy is 12.3%, while the Indiana rate is 20.9%, and the rate in Marion County is 19.7%. 

"These rates contribute to the high number of Indiana children exposed to secondhand smoke," said Dr. Caine. 

According to the report released May 30, an estimated 200,000 people employed in Marion County are smokers, costing businesses more than $260 million in increased heath insurance premiums, lost productivity, absenteeism, fires and extra housekeeping. 

To view the PDF of the report, go to http://www.mchd.com/tobacco.htm

For more information, please contact John Althardt at 221-2316.
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