Tuesday, June 27, 2006; Posted 3:47 p.m. (CDT)

A new report from the Surgeon General confirms that just because you do not smoke, does not mean you are safe.

For Susan Richardson, remembering her childhood often includes the smell of secondhand smoke from her father's cigarettes, "I just remember taking family trips in the car and my brother and I saying please roll down the window or like my dad coming to help me with my homework and kind of having that smoker smell."

But she never smoked, so when she was plagued with a persistent cough this January, no one thought to look for lung cancer.

Susan's story backs what doctors have long believed, just not smoking might not be enough.  Secondhand smoke can also make you sick.

According to the American Lung Association, secondhand smoke causes about 3,000 lung cancer deaths and 35,000 heart disease deaths every year.

The new surgeon general report says even a small amount of secondhand smoke can be dangerous.

Dr. Richard Carmona said, "In the past people thought well if I have a filter, if I have an air conditioner it won't bother me.  There is no safe level of secondhand smoke."

Industry leader, Philip Morris USA says "...the conclusions of public health officials concerning environmental tobacco smoke are sufficient to warrant measures that regulate smoking in public places."

Already 14 states and Washington D.C. have smoke-free workplace laws that include restaurants and bars.

As for Susan Richardson, for now her cancer is contained and she is beginning to resume some of the activities she once enjoyed.