The Effects of Secondhand Smoke a.k.a. ETS (Environmental Tobacco Smoke) on Children and Youth

Approved: 2002

Reaffirmed: 2009; 2016

WHEREAS    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has classified secondhand smoke as a “Group A Carcinogen” — a substance known to cause cancer in humans; and

WHEREAS    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined that children who breathe secondhand smoke are more likely to suffer from pneumonia, bronchitis, and other lung diseases and that exposure to secondhand smoke increases the number of episodes and severity of symptoms experienced by hundreds of thousands of asthmatic children and youth; THEREFORE, be it

RESOLVED that the New Jersey PTA promote programs educating its members on the dangers of secondhand smoke, and be it further

RESOLVED that New Jersey PTA support clean indoor/outdoor air policies in public places and workplaces that promote a healthy environment for children and youth.

Information statement: New Jersey PTA is committed to ensuring that all children and youth are exposed to the safest environment in the home, school, and community. This resolution continues our resolve to protect all children and youth.