Secondhand smoke, also known as passive smoke, is the smoke that is exhaled by a smoker or comes from the burning end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar. This smoke contains over 7000 chemicals, including about 70 carcinogens. Secondhand smoke is harmful to everyone who breathes it, but it can have even more serious impacts on certain groups of people.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), secondhand smoke exposure can cause stroke, lung cancer, and coronary heart disease in nonsmoking adults. Inhaling even a small amount of secondhand smoke can increase the risk of heart disease by as much as 25 percent. In children, secondhand smoke can cause sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), lower respiratory infections, ear infections, and more severe asthma attacks. Children who are exposed to secondhand smoke are also at higher risk for developing behavioral and cognitive problems, such as ADHD and learning disabilities.
Even brief exposure to secondhand smoke can be harmful. In fact, the Surgeon General has concluded that there is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure. Even opening a window or using a fan cannot eliminate the risks of secondhand smoke, as it can linger in the air for hours and travel throughout a building.
Unfortunately, many people are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke in public places, workplaces, and even their own homes. According to the CDC, approximately 58 million nonsmokers in the US are exposed to secondhand smoke, including 40 percent of children. This exposure can have serious impacts on their long-term health.
If you are a smoker, it is important to understand how your actions can affect those around you. You can minimize the risks of secondhand smoke exposure by smoking outside, away from doors and windows, or quitting smoking altogether. If you are a nonsmoker, it is important to avoid environments where smoking is allowed or ask smokers not to smoke around you or your children.
In conclusion, secondhand smoke is a serious health risk that can cause a range of health problems for nonsmokers, including children. It is important for everyone to take steps to minimize their exposure to secondhand smoke and to support smoke-free environments in public places and workplaces. By working together to reduce secondhand smoke exposure, we can improve the health and well-being of our communities and loved ones.
