Smoking problems in the workplace Helping employees who want to quit Hazards of secondhand smoke

	MCC § 21.500 was designed to protect public employees like you from the hazards of second hand smoke. If you need more information about the ordinance please call the staff at the Multnomah County Tobacco Prevention Program at 503-988-4163. We're here to help. What should I do if there is smoking at my workplace? You have the right to ask your employer to enforce the smokefree workplace ordinance in your workplace. Should a problem persist in your workplace, please call 988-4163 and register your complaint.
	Helping employees who want to quit smoking In Oregon we are fortunate to have the tobacco quit line to assist any smoker who is considering quitting. The Oregon Tobacco Quit Line Toll free 1-877-270 STOP or click on Oregon Tobacco Prevention and Education .
	Call Now – and Quit Tobacco For Good! Toll-Free Quit Line phone numbers are: 877-270-7867 877-270-STOP Oregon Tobacco Prevention and Education Si vive en Oregon y le interesa dejar de fumar. Llame gratis al nú movo. 877-266-3863 877-2NO FUME Toll-Free TTY Number 877-777-6534 For more information contact : American Lung Association of Oregon www.lungoregon.org American Cancer Society www.cancer.org (return to top )
	Hazards of secondhand smoke The purpose of MCC § 21.500 is to protect workers from the ill effects of secondhand smoke.
	Consider these facts: Secondhand smoke is the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States, killing 53,000 nonsmokers a year. The Surgeon General declared in 1986 that secondhand smoke is a cause of several diseases and that nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or in the workplace are at increased risk of those diseases. Secondhand smoke also increases risk of heart disease and respiratory infections. Secondhand smoke is hard on those who suffer from asthma and other chronic respiratory problems. Secondhand smoke was identified as a "Class A Carcinogen" (which is known to cause cancer in humans) in 1992 by the Environmental Protection Agency. In 1994, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration recognized that employees exposed to secondhand smoke in an indoor environment face significant risk of material impairment to their health due to poor indoor air quality. They recommend smoking only be allowed in separate, enclosed, and separately ventilated rooms. In 1999, the California Environmental Protection Agency did an extensive review of the scientific evidence and found that there was enough evidence to establish causality for the following diseases and causes of death: Developmental Effects Low birthweight Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Respiratory Effects Colds and infections Coughing and wheezing Middle ear infections Eye and nose irritation Sinus infection Can cause asthma and allergy attacks Carcinogenic Effects Lung Cancer Nasal Sinus Cancer Cardiovascular Effects Heart Disease and Attack Coronary Disease There is also evidence to suggest a Causal Association for the following, though more studies would be required to confirm this: Developmental Effects Miscarriages Affects learning and behavior Respiratory Effects Worsens the condition of Cystic Fibrosis Difficulty breathing Carcinogenic Effects Cervical Cancer Secondhand Smoke has also been implicated in many other cancers and disorders, but more extensive research is needed to determine causality. For more information on the effects of secondhand smoke, click on one of these links or call the Tobacco Prevention Program at 503-988-4163. www.cdc.gov/tobacco www.epa.gov/, then search for 'secondhand smoke' www.ama-assn.org, then search for 'secondhand smoke' www.lungoregon.org, follow link to national site. American Cancer Society www.cancer.org (return to top )

Home | The Law (MCC § 21.500 et seq) | Employer Assistance | Employee information | Need Help Quitting?

	Multnomah County Health
	Chronic Disease Prevention Program
	10317 E Burnside Street
	Portland, OR 97216
	503 988-4163