Community Health

Community Health Issue Paper

The use of tobacco products has been attributed to an approximate 4.2 million deaths per year around the world. By the year 2030, deaths related to the use of tobacco products are expected to rise to 10 million per year around the world (Tobacco Free Kids, 2006). This paper about secondhand smoke and the effects of tobacco use on the community will focus on who is affected in the community and how they are affected, ways to address public concerns, and issues arising in the community relating to these concerns. Community nursing interventions addressing the issues and risks of secondhand smoke and tobacco use will also be explored.

Reason for Selection

The Alabama Clean Air Act will restrict smoking in all inside public areas. Alabama State Senator Vivian Figures is a leader in the fight against tobacco use in Alabama. Alabama continues to be the only state in the nation without any state law restricting smoking indoors (Owen, 2006). Senator Figures goal is to protect all the public, particularly the children, from tobacco products. The use of tobacco product related deaths is the leading preventable reason for death in the United States (U.S.). Alabama tobacco use kills approximately 7,400 people and cost an estimated $1.17 billion in healthcare costs each year. These policy changes are intended to reduce smoking, which will ultimately save lives and money by reducing smoking related healthcare expenditures (U.S. Newswire, 2004).

The Issue

According to Surgeon General Carmona, Vice-Admiral of the United States Public Health Service, “The scientific evidence is now indisputable: secondhand smoke is not a mere annoyance. It is a serious health hazard that can lead to disease and premature death in children and nonsmoking adults” (DHHS, 2006, ¶5).The American Heart Association contends there are 47 million American cigarette smokers or about 22% of the overall population (2006). At any given time one-half of all the people...