New Study Links Secondhand Smoke to Sinus Conditions

By now, most of us realize the dangers of smoking, including the damaging effects associated with being exposed to secondhand smoke. But in a new study undertaken by researchers at the Henry Ford Health System, the list of health risks connected to secondhand smoke continues to grow.

The study is believed to be the first time researchers evaluated the association between secondhand smoke and chronic rhinosinusitis, one of the most common health conditions in the United States affecting more than 39 million people, or one in seven adults, every year. Chronic rhinosinusitis, or CRS, is a form of sinusitis in which the moist tissues of the nose and paranasal sinuses become inflamed resulting in headaches, congestion, sneezing and a runny nose.

And the results of this landmark study couldn’t be timelier: On May 1, Michigan became the 38^th state to limit smoking in public places, government buildings, workplaces, bars and restaurants.

Researchers found that people are at an increased risk for developing rhinosinusitis from exposure to secondhand smoke at home and public places like bars and restaurants, but that the risk is even higher at work and at private social settings.

“The smoking ban has the power to have an enormous impact on sinus and nasal conditions because the air will be much cleaner in work places and at social functions. This can lead to significantly less symptoms for those affected by sinus conditions,” says Amanda Holm, MPH, a co-author on the study and project manager in Henry Ford Health System’s Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.

In fact, given the results of this study, nearly 40 percent of chronic rhinosinusitis diagnoses are estimated to be prevented if individuals are no longer exposed to secondhand smoke.

According to Holm, the poisons in secondhand smoke are known irritants to the nasal passages and sinuses. It exacerbates the sinus conditions that people have and it is a major contributor to the development of rhinosinusitis.

According to Henry Ford Health Systems, secondhand smoke accounts for an estimated 3,000 lung cancer deaths and 30,000 heart disease deaths annually. Moreover, secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in Michigan, which results in about 2,500 deaths a year.

States that have banned smoking from public places have seen tremendous boons in health outcomes. For instance, a study conducted by the state Department of Public Health and the Harvard School of Public Health, showed a steep decline in heart attack deaths since the ban was implemented in 2004. Heart attack deaths in Massachusetts plummeted 30 percent, a benefit that cannot just be attributed to improvements in medical treatments and access to care.

While sinus problems may not carry the fatal risk as lung cancer, heart attacks or strokes, conditions that are strongly linked to smoking, they do pose uncomfortable and chronic symptoms.

“Eliminating exposure to secondhand smoke can lead to a lot less headaches and nasal congestion,” says Holms. Factor in the cost of sinus medications and the overall discomfort of being plagued by constant sneezing and a running nose and the case for smoking bans is making it a little bit easier to breathe.

Smoking in Michigan Gets Snuffed Out

Michigan joined 37 other states this week when it banned smoking in restaurants, bars and other public places – excluding casinos. It is a victory for its advocates who have pushed the state Congress to pass this law over the past several years.

I am amazed, however, by the outrage of people who do not think that government should make smoking illegal in public places. There is a concern that government is regulating private businesses and personal choice. Here is a newsflash – the government regulates businesses and your personal health and safety already, but people seem to choose which regulations they like and which ones they don’t. In this case – it is mostly those who smoke who are choosing to dislike these regulations.

Let’s take a look at why the smoking ban is a good idea. First, smoking and secondhand smoke has proven to increase one’s risk of a multitude of chronic health conditions including heart disease and cancer. This is a scientifically proven fact. I don’t think that anyone argues against that fact. If you didn’t know this, you must be living under one huge rock.

Secondly, the cost of healthcare services to smokers and those exposed to smoke, is significantly higher. So, for those crying out that healthcare costs are too expensive and out-of-control, think about how less burdened our healthcare system would be if people quit smoking.

Those who are against smoking legislation argue that smoking is a personal choice and if someone chooses to smoke and understands the health risks, then so be it. Government should not legislate personal health choices.

Some restaurant and bar owners claim a smoking ban will put them out of business. Tell that to New York, Florida, Chicago and the numerous other cities and states with similar bans. The ratio of businesses that have opened and thrived during these bans are far more than those who have failed due to the loss of the smokers’ patronage.

In fact, more restaurants will agree that they have more requests for non-smoking seating than smoking. Have you ever been on a waiting list at a restaurant for the smoking section? Rarely. Few businesses will go under because of the smoking ban and some will probably increase.

Finally, for those people who think that one’s personal choices should not be legislated by the government as long as “they are not hurting anyone else” I say this:  Since secondhand smoke is proven to have a negative health impact on everyone exposed to it, you ARE hurting someone else.

No one is telling you that you can’t smoke in your own home. And, that you have to stop smoking in your home if a guest arrives. What the legislation is telling you is that you cannot go out into a place that is open to the public and expose people to secondhand smoke who are not choosing to be around it.

Look at it this way. Your car is your personal property. Drinking is a personal choice. However, when you take your car out onto a public roadway after you’ve consumed too many drinks, the government says this is illegal. Why is this law in place? Because driving while intoxicated can be harmful to you as well as the unsuspecting public. I don’t hear many people arguing that they should be allowed to drink and drive because it’s a “personal choice.”

Congratulations to the Michigan legislature for finally stepping up and passing this law. It was long overdue.