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Second-hand smoke: a danger to all

What is second-hand smoke?

Second-hand smoke is a mixture of smoke given off by the burning end of a cigarette, cigar or pipe, and the smoke exhaled by a smoker. You don't have to smoke to be harmed by tobacco. People who smoke are not only hurting themselves. Studies show that people who are around secondhand smoke can also be harmed.

Why is it dangerous?

• There are more than 4,000 chemicals in secondhand smoke. At least 43 of these can cause cancer. If you are in a place where people are smoking, you will breathe in these harmful chemicals.
• Smoke from the burning end of a cigarette contains additional harmful chemicals that are not inhaled directly through a cigarette.
• Second-hand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. Each year more Americans die from exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke than from car accidents, AIDS, or violent crimes.

How does second-hand smoke harm your health?

• Second-hand smoke is a known cause of lung cancer. It is also contributes to cancers of the larynx, oral cavity, esophagus, and bladder. It is a likely factor in cervical, kidney, pancreatic and stomach cancers.
• Second-hand smoke causes burning eyes and nasal passages, headaches and nausea in nonsmokers. It can worsen allergies.
• Second-hand smoke may cause hardening of the arteries and heart problems in nonsmokers. Children are more vulnerable to second-hand smoke than adults because they inhale more air for their body size than adults do. Second-hand smoke is estimated to cause nearly half of all annual sudden infant deaths. Children exposed to second-hand smoke have more ear infections, colds, asthma, pneumonia, and bronchitis than those who are not exposed.

Second-hand smoke harms us all . . .

• Stay away from second-hand smoke.
• Keep children away from second-hand smoke. Avoid taking them to places where they would be exposed to second-hand smoke.
• Make your home and car smoke-free. Encourage family and friends to do the same.
• If you smoke, the most important thing you can do is to quit. Help is available. If you haven't quit yet, avoid exposing others to your smoke. Don't smoke indoors.
• If you are pregnant, smoking will affect the health of your baby. Also avoid second-hand smoke.
• Encourage your family and friends to quit smoking.

DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this site is intended for general information and educational purposes. It is not intended to replace the advice of your own physician. Contact your physician if you believe you have a health problem.