The Surgeon General's Report on Secondhand Smoke The release of the U.S. Surgeon General's report, The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke, states that no level of exposure to secondhand smoke is safe. The report also acknowledges that over 126 million Americans are exposed to secondhand smoke, increasing their risk of death from lung cancer, heart disease and other illnesses. Surgeon General Carmona's report strongly advocates smoke-free workplace legislation to protect the health of American workers. While such legislation is being considered by state and local lawmakers across the nation, the foundation stresses the importance of also taking the additional step to provide smokers with the tools they need to help them quit. We know that quitting smoking is not easy, but it is the single most important act an individual can take to improve his or her health and to safeguard the health of family and friends. Secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 chemical compounds, including several known human carcinogens. The Surgeon General's call to action is to keep homes and cars free from smoke, and to stop smoking around children - this simple act can save countless lives.