On September 1, the campus of Medical City Dallas will become completely non-smoking. Previously, there have been a few outdoor spaces where smokers could still congregate. This is great news, and a good message to all employees, patients, and visitors. Sometimes I take for granted that everyone knows the dangers and health effects of smoking. It is still shocking to me to see the statistic that 23% of men and 18% of women are smokers. Aside from the direct effects of smoking, the second-hand effect on children is significant. I see the evidence daily when my patients experience a worsening of asthma, upper respiratory infections, and ear infections due to exposure to smoke from parents or other caregivers. There is also a relatively new concept of "Third-Hand Smoke." This refers to the lingering effect of tobacco smoke on clothing and in the house, even if no one is actively smoking. This effect persists for years -- I am sensitive enough to smoke that I can walk into a house and know that someone used to live there that smoked in the house. (Yes, parents, I also know the instant that I walk into an exam room that you smoke!) If you are a smoker, or you know someone that is, please strongly consider talking to your doctor about ways to quit. An excellent resource is 1-800-QUIT-NOW. Their hotline and website are very helpful.