Passive smokers health risked

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 288, 30 May 1989, Page 7

Passive smokers health risked

The scientific Committee of the National Heart Foundation accepts that there is an important association between involuntary or passive smoking and coronary heart disease.

Dr David Hay, Medical Director of the National Heart Foundation, said there are now a number of studies which show that nonsmokers married to smoking spouses have 20 - 30% higher risk of

coronary heart attacks than if they were married to a non-smoker. In absolute numbers this may mean that several hundred deaths from coronary disease might result annually from long term expo-

sure to other people's smoke. "We accept that continued research is needed but we believe the evidence coming in is sufficiently important to justify prevention measures aimed at reducing exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. The Foundation regards the prevention of involuntary smoking as an important priority in its non-smoking

policy," says Dr Hay. "I hope the new Minister of Health will press forward with plans to legislate against smoking in public places, restaurants and in the work place. I hope also that non-smoking spouses of smokers will per-

suade their partners to quit or suggest they retire outside if they want to smoke. It is no longer only the smoker who is at risk but those who through no desire of their own are obliged to inhale the secondhand smoke produced by other."