Prevention of Tobacco Related Harms
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths by far. Cancer, heart disease, and stroke are the leading causes of death among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders and can all be linked to cigarette smoking.
There are also growing concerns with secondhand and thirdhand smoke. Secondhand smoke can easily drift through windows, doors, and ventilation systems. Exposure to secondhand smoke can worsen lung conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, has been linked to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and is estimated to cause the deaths of 41,000 adults in the U.S. each year. Folks most vulnerable towards secondhand smoke are elderly individuals, persons who already have a compromised immune system, and infants and children. Even our pets are vulnerable when it comes to secondhand smoke!
Related Projects
Breathe Easy SGV
We recognize that breathing clean, smoke-free air is a priority for our community members. We are currently working with communities in the San Gabriel, Duarte, and the Greater San Gabriel Valley on smoke-free outdoor areas and clean environmental policies. Follow us on Instagram @BreatheEasySGV for updates!
Secondhand Smoke in West Hollywood
From 2019 to 2021, NAPAFASA conducted outreach and education in West Hollywood about the harms of secondhand smoke and how smoke-free multi-unit housing policies can help protect people’s health and wellbeing.
Healthy Housing Rosemead
Healthy Housing Rosemead (HHR) is a coalition started as a way to reach Rosemead residents about issues around cleaner air and more healthy, stable housing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the coalition moved most of its efforts online, using social media to share information and updates about secondhand smoke, smoke-free multiunit housing policies, and resources on COVID-19.