What is second-hand smoke?
Second-hand smoke, also known as passive smoking or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is the inhalation of smoke by person other than the active smoker. Even if you yourself don't smoke, but the person next to you is puffing like a chimney, you are getting the second-hand smoke. Non-smokers who breathe in second-hand smoke take in nicotine and toxic chemicals the same way as smokers do.
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| Enforce smoking restriction at work and public places. |
There are two forms of smoke that made up second-hand smoke: the sidestream smoke and mainstream smoke. The sidestream smoke is the smoke that comes from the lighted end of a cigarette or pipe, it is the direct result of burning the tobacco product. The mainstream smoke is the smoke exhaled by the active smoker.
Sidestream smoke is much more dangerous than mainstream smoke because it has higher concentration of dangerous chemicals like ammonia, carbon monoxide, cyanide, lead, formaldehyde, and other agents that can cause cancer. It also has smaller particle size so it's easier to reach our lungs and cause damage to our cells. As if that's not bad enough, these dangerous particles can stay in the air for hours or even longer. Even when the smoke has cleared out, the residue remains on the person's hair and clothing, as well as the furniture, carpets, wallpapers, and other things.
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| dangerous particles stay in the air even after the smoke clears |
What are the dangers of second-hand smoke?
In adults, second-hand smoke causes the same problems as direct smoking. These include lung cancer and other cancers like breast, kidney, and leukemia, cardiovascular diseases, asthma, allergies, ear infection, and many others. The bottom line is that it increases the overall death rate.
In children, second-hand smoke causes low birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome, childhood asthma and allergies, respiratory tract infections, ear infections, and chronic irritation.
How can you can reduce or even eliminate exposure to second-hand smoke?
- Don't allow smoking in your home or your vehicle. If family members or guests want to smoke, ask them to step outside. No ventilation system or air purifier can completely eliminate second-hand smoke
- Enforce smoking restriction at work and public places. Don't hesitate to warn people if they're breaking the rules.
- If you have close people like your partner, family, or friends who smokes, offer support and encouragement to stop smoking.
