Tobacco.org

• Secondhand smoke risks underestimated, survey finds 

About 360,000 Kentucky children are exposed to secondhand smoke every day in their homes, putting them at risk for everything from asthma to ear infections to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

That's the word from researchers at the University of Kentucky, who found that many parents are unaware of such dangers when they light up.

A UK HealthCare survey highlighted Thursday found that nearly 1.6 million Kentuckians underestimate the dangers of secondhand smoke, and 45 percent of homes with children had at least one adult who didn't believe it was a serious health hazard. To change such perceptions, UK HealthCare helped launch a state-wide, five-year campaign Thursday featuring educational materials, a school-based program, an interactive Web site, and radio and television public service announcements with John Calipari, UK's head basketball coach.

"We know secondhand smoke is a silent killer, and a lot of people, based on our data, still don't believe it," said Ellen Hahn, director of UK's Tobacco Policy Research Program and Kentucky Center for Smoke-free Policy. "The whole purpose of this campaign is to ratchet up awareness."

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