This year, a merciless killer has cut short the lives of nearly 50,000 men, women, children and infants. Though we have all stood face to face with this quiet assassin, most of us in the great city of Pittsburgh have been left powerless to counter its deadly effects. Until recently, its identity has only been whispered about in the halls of the state Legislature, in town meeting houses and around the family kitchen table.

Paulraj Samuel, M.D.,is a resident physician in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center; Amber Samuel, M.D., is a resident physician in the Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Finally, however, the U.S. surgeon general, the highest-ranking public health official in our country, has unmasked this silent killer in the court of public opinion. Simply put, his recent report uncovers for the nation one simple fact: Secondhand smoke kills.

In fact, it kills almost 50,000 Americans every year. According to a report delivered to the nation a few weeks ago, the cigarette smoke taken in by nonsmokers alone claims the lives of our loved ones through increases in heart disease, breast cancer and even sudden infant death syndrome.

Furthermore, research confirms that children and adults exposed to secondhand smoke may subsequently suffer from more difficult-to-manage forms of asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia.

With the surgeon general's report strengthening its resolve, the Allegheny County Health Department board has recently announced its plans to push forward with a two-part plan to ban smoking in public places. The board members will lobby legislators for a statewide ban as well as put together a plan to ban secondhand smoke in the county. On their side, they will even carry the newly pledged support of the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association. Moving forward, the efforts of activists as well as leaders of industry and health care will be needed every step of the way.

In U.S. News & World Report, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center has for the seventh time in eight years received the honor of being included in the Best Hospitals Honor Roll. Although we may not serve as the official spokespersons of our honored medical center, we do represent a growing tide of health-care professionals who believe that this great honor given to UPMC also brings a great responsibility.

Working to improve the health of our community does not stop at the hospital doors. None of us enjoys the experience of taking our loved ones out for a special occasion, only to come home smelling like an ashtray.

Undoubtedly some among us have grown tired of having to fumble for extra asthma inhalers as they dash out the door, simply because Sunday dinner this week is taking place at a "family restaurant" with a smoking section. Perhaps it should be the fundamental right of every man, woman and child to live without fearing that the very air they breathe will push them closer to their last breath.

Let us not spend one more moment with our loved ones enjoying all that the beautiful city of Pittsburgh has to offer while having to worry about what health hazards lurk in a nearby puff of smoke. We sincerely look forward to joining hands with our fellow citizens as we take our first major steps toward finally bringing this killer to justice.