Secondhand Smoke Facts

Kentucky secondhand smoke facts:

• Kentucky has the third highest adult smoking rate in the U.S.
• Kentucky is #1 in adult deaths from smoking-related illnesses
• More than 360,000 Kentucky children are exposed to tobacco smoke every day. This figure is based on the number of children in Kentucky and the percentage of adults who smoke.
• In Kentucky, 27 percent of pregnant women smoke during their pregnancy, compared to 13 percent nationally. Babies whose mothers smoke while pregnant are more likely to have a low birth weight and develop asthma.

Facts from the 2009 UK HealthCare Kentucky Poll: 

• 18 percent of homes with children have an adult who smokes.
• 20 percent of homes with children have allowed smoking inside the home in the past 30 days
• In 46 percent of homes with children, at least one adult does not believe secondhand smoke is a serious health concern.

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