Protecting the future and prosperity of North Carolina.

Annually, exposure to smoke is responsible for up to 300,000 lower respiratory tract infections in infants and children. This results in anywhere from 7,500 to 15,000 hospitalizations each year.

Secondhand smoke exposure is responsible for 430 sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) deaths in the U.S. annually.  Approximately 100 families per year experience this in North Carolina.

Currently, North Carolina State Legislature has established regulations protecting places of employment, correctional facilities, long-term care facilities, and state or government owned fleet.

Why have we not made more efforts to protect our children?

A study was conducted of 200 children seen in the Emergency Department with asthma symptoms.  50% of these children who came in were exposed to secondhand smoke. There was an unknown exposure in 31% of cases, and ONLY 19% of those presenting with symptoms were NOT exposed to smoke.