According to a 2024 study by the Indian Journal of Public Health, in India, the prevalence of secondhand smoke exposure is 29.5 per cent in general and 11.2 per cent at home. 

 

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Most people are aware that smoking is harmful, but many overlook the dangers associated with being around it. Secondhand smoke—what non-smokers inhale when they are near a lit cigarette, cigar, or pipe—is more than just an unpleasant odour. 

 

Related story: Caught Your Teen Smoking? Here's Help

 

Secondhand Smoking

According to a 2023 report in the paper Cancer, secondhand smoke (SHS) is defined as the combination of smoke generated from the burning end of a cigarette and the smoke exhaled by the smoker. This mixture exposes nearby individuals to the same toxic chemicals as those inhaled by the smoker, making SHS a significant health risk even for those who do not actively smoke. It contains over 7,000 chemicals, including hundreds of toxic compounds and approximately 70 known to cause cancer. 

 

Related story: How to Cut back And Quit Smoking

 

Facts About Secondhand Smoke

India has some of the highest rates of tobacco use in the world, with 253 million tobacco users, according to a report by the National Family Health Survey.

There is absolutely no level of exposure to secondhand smoke that can be considered safe. Even momentary encounters with this toxic smoke can significantly increase the likelihood of experiencing heart attacks, regardless of a person's overall health. 

Secondhand smoke is a cocktail of harmful substances, containing hundreds of toxic chemicals. Among these are well-known carcinogens such as formaldehyde, benzene, vinyl chloride, arsenic, ammonia, and hydrogen cyanide, all of which pose serious health threats to those exposed. 

Nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke in the workplace face an increased health risk. A 2024 study by the American Lung Associations has found that levels of secondhand smoke in restaurants and bars are 2 to 5 times higher than those found in homes with smokers, and 2 to 6 times higher than in office environments.

 

Related  story: How to Quit Smoking?

 

Dangers of Secondhand Smoking

Secondhand smoke (SHS) poses severe health risks to non-smokers, often without them realising the extent of the damage. This involuntary exposure affects the heart, lungs, and immune system, and it’s especially harmful to children, pregnant women, and the elderly. 

1. Increased Cancer Risk

• Lung Cancer: As per Centres for Disease Control And Prevention, second hand smoking exposure is a major cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, responsible for around 7,300 lung cancer deaths annually.
• Other Cancers: In addition to lung cancer, secondhand smoke is linked to cancers of the throat, nasal cavity, and even the breast, bladder, and pancreas.

 

2. Cardiovascular Diseases

• Heart Attacks: SHS raises the risk of heart disease and heart attacks, killing nearly 34,000 non-smokers each year. Even brief exposure can affect the cardiovascular system, increasing blood clot risk and damaging blood vessel linings.
• Stroke: The CDC reports that SHS exposure can cause strokes, and consistent exposure raises the risk of stroke significantly.

 

3. Respiratory Issues

• Asthma: SHS can worsen asthma and trigger asthma attacks, particularly in children, making it difficult to breathe and affecting overall lung function.
• Chronic Respiratory Conditions: Non-smokers exposed to SHS may develop chronic bronchitis, wheezing, and coughing due to lung irritation.

 

4. Risks to Children

• SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome): Infants exposed to SHS are at higher risk of SIDS. Secondhand smoke affects babies even before birth, making prenatal exposure dangerous.
• Developmental Issues: Children exposed to secondhand smoke have a higher risk of developing respiratory infections, frequent colds, ear infections, and reduced lung growth.

 

5. Impact on Pregnant Women and Foetal Health

Secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy can result in complications such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and developmental issues. Pregnant women exposed to smoke may also experience pregnancy complications that put both mother and baby at risk.

 

6. Immune System Suppression

Secondhand smoke exposure can weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections and illnesses. This is especially true for people with compromised immune systems, including the elderly and individuals with chronic health conditions.

 

Related story: What Make Smoking Hard to Quit?

 

The dangers of secondhand smoke (SHS) are significant and far-reaching, impacting not only smokers but also everyone around them. SHS is linked to increased risks of cancer, heart disease, respiratory issues, and developmental challenges in children. It is crucial to understand that there is no safe level of exposure; even brief encounters with secondhand smoke can lead to serious health consequences. 

 

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