Extinguishing the tobacco epidemic in Connecticut

CONNECTICUT KEY FACTSIn 2015, 31.4% of U.S. high school youth reported currently using any tobacco product, including e-cigarettes. Among Connecticut high school youth, 10.3% reported currently smoking cigarettes.PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE TO TOBACCO USE IN CONNECTICUTThere is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. It causes stroke, lung cancer, and coronary heart disease in adults. Upon request, Connecticut provides research, data and analysis, and scientific consultation to communities, multiunit housing operators, hospitals, businesses, and colleges and universities that want to protect residents from secondhand smoke. Currently, four universities in Connecticut have a campus tobacco-free policy, and eight public housing authorities have implemented smoke-free policies for all housing units. At least 12 more public housing authorities have adopted such policies that are currently being implemented. Additionally, towns such as Hamden have enacted an ordinance that prohibits all tobacco use in city parks.For more information on tobacco prevention and control, visit cdc.gov/tobacco