Tobacco Documents Online

Position Statement Adult Respiratory S~mptoms and Disease (Other Than Cancer) Scientific Data Do Not Support A Warning Label on Exposure to ETS and Adult Respiratory Symptoms and Disease Numerous studies-have examined a possible association between reported ETS exposures and respiratory symptoms and disease (other than cancer) in adult nonsmokers. The studies evaluate lung function, disease endpoints such as bronchitis and asthma, or respiratory symptoms such as cough and wheezing. At least two studies have examined workplace smoking and lung function/respiratory symptoms. Other studies have examined ETS within the context of other exposures in the home environment, including gas stove usage, outdoor air pollution and home dampness. The results are both mixed and inconclusive. For example, a strong critic of ETS has conceded that "the effect of passive smoking on respiratory infections in adults has not been well-characterized and reports of its effects on chronic respiratory disease in adults have been inconsistent.''~ Moreover, data on ETS exposure and noncancer respiratory conditions have been characterized by reviewers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as permitting "no definite conclusion" to be drawn.2 Although some individuals claim to be annoyed by the sight and smell of tobacco smoke, there are no convincing data suggesting the existence of a specific allergy or hypersensitivity to tobacco smoke. This is not to deny that some individuals may report symptoms of annoyance in the presence of tobacco smoke, but the scientific basis for these reactions does not appear to be either specific or immunologic and cannot therefore be regarded as evidence of a clinical tobacco smoke allergy.3 o Graham, N., "The Epidemiology of Acute Respiratory Infections in Children and Adults: Global Perspective," EDidemioloqic Reviews, 12:149-178, 1990. Tredaniel, J., et al., "Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke in Adult Nonneoplastic Respiratory Diseases," European Respiratory Journal, 7:173-185, 1994. Lehrer, S., et al., "Tobacco Smoke Sensitivity: Allergy?," Ann Allercof 56: i-i0, 1986. A Result of ~7

Asthmatics are believed to be especially sensitive to various environmental influences, including ETS, but the scientific data on ETS do not convincingly support this contention. A number of clinical studies have been undertaken in which asthmatics were exposed to ETS under controlled laboratory conditions. In many of the studies, the asthmatics were exposed to excessively high and unrealistic levels of ETS, and a number of patients reportedly complained of subjective symptoms upon exposure to ETS. However, objective results, i.e., evidence of airways obstruction or significant changes in lung flow rates, were not observed in the majority of patients studied.4 Witorsch, P., "Does Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) Cause Adverse Health Effects in Susceptible Individuals? A Critical Review of the Scientific Literature: I. Respiratory Disorders, Atopic Allergy and Related Conditions," Environmental TechnoloGy 13: 323-340, 1992. - 2 -