Rockcastle Regional Hospital and Respiratory Care Center, UK HealthCare and community partners across the state have launched a statewide, five-year campaign to raise awareness of secondhand smoker's dangers and offer tips for avoiding exposure. The campaign will include radio and television public service announcements featuring UK Basketball Coach John Calipari, educational materials, an interactive Web site and a school-based education program.

In a statewide survey conducted by UK HealthCare, it is estimated that nearly 1.6 million Kentuckians underestimate the serious negative impact secondhand smoke can have on one's health. Nearly half (48.4%) of Kentucky adults surveyed reported they had been exposed to secondhand smoke indoors (e.g., at work, home, car) in the last week.

"While most people know that secondhand smoke is bad for their health, a surprising percentage stated on our survey that it has at most only a moderate impact," said Ellen Hahn, director of UK's Tobacco Policy Research Program and Kentucky Center for Smoke-free Policy. "Unfortunately, the health consequences of exposure to secondhand smoke are worse than what many people estimate. These results show how imperative it was to create this campaign that will hopefully prevent exposure, disease, and premature death."

The community partners in this campaign include: Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Cumulus, Georgetown Community Hospital, Harrison Memorial Hospital, Kentucky Children's Hospital, Kentucky Department for Public Health, LM Communications, Pattie A. Clay Regional Medical Center, Rockcastle Regional Hospital and Respiratory Care Center, St. Claire Regional Medical Center, UK Markey Cancer Center, and WKYT Television.

Secondhand smoke, containing more than 4,000 chemicals, is a mixture of smoke given off by the burning end of tobacco products and the smoke exhaled by smokers.

Many of those exposed to secondhand smoke are children. In 45 percent of homes with children, at least one adult does not believe secondhand smoke is a serious health concern, according to a UK HealthCare study.

To visit the campaign Web site and share tips about experiences involving secondhand smoke, go to www.ukhealthcare.uky.edu/secondhandsmoke.