Tobacco Education & Prevention Partnership

Secondhand Smoke

Secondhand smoke is a combination of the smoke emitted from the burning end of a cigarette, pipe, vaping device, or cigar, and the smoke exhaled from the lungs of smokers. This mixture contains more than 7,000 chemicals, including many that are toxic and about 70 that are known to cause cancer.

Report a Complaint or Concern about Secondhand Smoke

The Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act (CCIAA) has been updated to protect most indoor places from secondhand smoke and aerosol. Nearly all indoor public places are smoke and vape-free, including restaurants, bars, libraries, all hotel/motel units, theaters, common areas in multi-unit dwellings, and many other places. A building’s main entryway must also be smoke and vape-free and smoking or vaping should not take place within 25 feet of that entryway (unless otherwise stated by local code).

Exemptions

Private homes, cigar bars, tobacco and vape retailers, limos under private hire, and marijuana tasting rooms are among the few exceptions to the law. Some retailers will be required to post age-restricted signage by October 1, 2019. Contact TEPP for more information, sign resources, and education.

Local Regulations

Boulder County municipalities may have adopted stricter regulations regarding smoking and vaping, so be sure to check your local code. Property owners and managers are also allowed to implement stricter code under the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act, so check your workplace and organizational rules, too.

• Boulder
• Longmont
• Louisville
• Lyons
• Superior
• Boulder County

Tips to Meet Clean Indoor Air Requirements

Whether you are a business owner or a Boulder County resident, here are a few tips to make sure that the requirements of the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act are being met:

• Learn more about the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act expansion and recent updates.
• Do not allow smoking or vaping within 25 feet of the main entryway.
• Post no-smoking and no-vaping signs at all building or facility entrances.
• Remove all ashtrays and other cigarette disposal containers from the main entryway to reduce confusion.
• Download our free sign template, public factsheet, or request additional free resources from the Tobacco Education & Prevention Partnership.
• When possible, try to avoid smoking or vaping near all entryways, operable windows, or in outdoor areas where the public gather to reduce drift.

Report a Complaint or Concern about Secondhand Smoke

Health Risks

There is no safe-level of exposure to secondhand smoke; even small exposures can trigger a heart attack, an asthma attack, or a stroke.

Secondhand smoke has been classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a known cause of lung cancer in humans (Group A carcinogen). It is estimated that over 7,000 lung cancer deaths occur in U.S. adult nonsmokers as a result of secondhand smoke exposure.

Secondhand smoke is a serious health risk to children. Health effects seen in children exposed to secondhand smoke include increased risk of lower respiratory tract infections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, and ear infections; build-up of fluid in the middle ear; increased severity and frequency of asthma episodes; decreased lung function; and an increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Learn More

• CDC Facts About Secondhand Smoke
• Early Childhood Educator Guide to Creating Smoke-Free Environments

Report a Complaint or Concern about Secondhand Smoke

Youth Tobacco Use in Boulder County

Although smoking has been on the decline for young people over the last decade, there are still those who smoke and use other tobacco products. Additionally, the number of young people who have started vaping has skyrocketed, which is contributing to more young people being addicted to nicotine. Healthy Kids Colorado Survey data shows us that 7% of high schoolers are currently using cigarettes, and 5% report current use of other tobacco products in Boulder County (excluding vape devices).

Additionally, the popularity and culture around vaping, as well as industry marketing tactics that target youth, has increased the number of young people who are using products that contain nicotine. The rate of youth vaping in Colorado and Boulder County remains high. The latest data available is from 2019 and shows that 27.7% of youth are current users, and 46% of youth have ever tried vaping devices.

Learn more about vaping devices and their health effects.

While most of the focus lately has been on youth vaping, it is important to remember young people who are using more traditional tobacco products, and what new and emerging products may be attractive to young people. Little cigars, snuff, and chew still come in a variety of flavors, and can be purchased at a very low cost. The tobacco industry is constantly thinking of new products and ideas, and it is important to be aware of what new products are entering the market.

Certain People are More Impacted by Tobacco

Rate of tobacco use is higher among certain groups of young people. Youth of color, individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, those with low socioeconomic status, and those facing mental health struggles are more likely to use tobacco products. One reason for this disparity is the intentional targeting of these populations by tobacco industry marketing. Understanding these health disparities and how this impacts certain groups and individuals is important when considering how to support those who want to quit, or addressing this on a larger level.

Talking to the Young People in your Life

Talking to the young people in your life about tobacco use can be difficult, but research shows that having these tough conversations can make a difference in their choices to use substances. Connecting with the young people in your life to discuss these topics, whether you’re a family member, teacher, coach, or anyone else with a meaningful relationship with a young person, can influence their decision to make a healthier choice. The following resources are for those who have young people in their lives and address talking to them about this difficult topic.

• CDC Tips on Talking to Youth People about Tobacco
• Substance Use and Athletic Performance Video for Coaches

Helping Youth Quit

We are seeing a new generation of young people who are addicted to nicotine, and youth will need support and help to quit when they are ready. Supporting youth on their journey towards quitting is important, as well as setting them up with the necessary tools to be successful.

Learn about resources that are catered to help young people quit.

Tobacco Free Schools

Young people spend much of their time in school and on school grounds, so it is important for school administrators and staff to be knowledgeable about tobacco products, and the laws and regulation around them. The following toolkit was created by Boulder County Public Health and the Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership program as a resource for school staff. Information in this toolkit includes:

• Information on tobacco products, including vaping devices
• Health effects
• Data on youth use
• Tobacco free schools law
• Enforcement strategies
• Safe disposal of vaping devices
• Lesson plans for teachers
• Quit resources

This toolkit was designed to be helpful for all school staff, including administrators, teachers, coaches, nurses, and counselors. See a web-based version of this toolkit on our Tobacco Free Schools page.

Regulations

Regulations for tobacco and vaping devices are changing rapidly, especially when it comes to youth access to these products. There are several federal, state, and local regulations that apply to e-cigarettes and all tobacco products.

Learn more on our policy tab.

E-Cigarettes & Vaping

Report a Complaint or Concern about Secondhand Smoke

Housing Providers/Landlords

Secondhand smoke has no boundaries and can drift between units in a multi-unit dwelling through cracks in drywall, open windows, ventilation systems, and even plumbing. Secondhand smoke is more than a nuisance and individuals with chronic health conditions, older adults, pregnant women, and children are particularly at risk for health complications from exposure. Adopting a smoke-free policy is the only way to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke in multi-unit housing.

A Smoke-Free Policy Will:

• Save money: cleaning and repairing a unit where smoking occurred can cost 2 to 3 times more.
• Protect property: there are over 7,500 smoking-related fires in residential buildings every year.
• Attract residents: 87% of Coloradans have adopted smoke-free rules for their home, almost 90% of Boulder County adults don’t smoke, and many prefer smoke-free environments.
• Ensure health: up to 65% of air can recirculate to other units in a multi-unit building. Even small exposures can cause health complications. There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.

Tools & Resources to Help with Policy Implementation

• Smoke-free Living Toolkit
• Signage (see below)
• Compliance and enforcement resources

Residents

Since secondhand smoke can travel throughout a building from several entry points, the Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership encourages residents to keep a log of where and when they experience secondhand smoke drift and communicate with management about what they’ve been experiencing and how exposure it is affecting them. Remember, smoke-free living does not require people to quit smoking, it provides protections to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke. A documentation log can help start a conversation with management to help find a solution. Finding solutions and remedies can sometimes take time, but starting a dialogue with management is usually the first step.

Resources to Help Find Resolution

• Boulder mediation and landlord tenant information
• Boulder County BAR association
• Local law clinics
• Longmont mediation
• My Smoke-free Housing
• Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership