Secondhand Smoke
Secondhand smoke, or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)
is a mixture of the smoke given off by the burning end of a cigarette,
pipe, or cigar, and the smoke exhaled from the lungs of smokers. This mixture contains more than 4,000 substances, over 40 of which
are known to cause cancer in humans or animals and many of which are
strong irritants (Montana State University).
Secondhand
smoke has been classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) as a known cause of lung cancer in humans (Group A carcinogen). EPA
estimates that ETS causes approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths in
nonsmokers each year.
Health Risks: In adults, health risks include eye, nose, and
throat irritation; headaches; lung cancer; and may contribute to heart disease.
Secondhand smoke is a serious health risk to children. Health effects seen in children exposed to passive smoking include
increased risk of lower respiratory tract infections, such as bronchitis
and pneumonia, and ear infections; build-up of fluid in the middle ear;
increased severity and frequency of
asthma
episodes; and decreased lung
function (EPA).
How
do I decrease my exposure to secondhand smoke?
Do not allow anyone to smoke tobacco
products inside homes or office buildings. If
a person insists on smoking inside, increase the ventilation in the area
by opening windows or using exhaust fans. Children, elderly people, and individuals with chronic health
conditions are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of secondhand smoke
and should not be in the room with a smoker.
For more information on smoking or to quit smoking:
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