Cigarette smoke is a danger to smokers and nonsmokers. Approximately 430,000 people die annually in the United States because of smoking, according to the American Lung Association. This means more people die annually from smoke-related diseases than from car accidents, AIDS, drug abuse and murder combined.
Components
Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, some of which are carcinogens, or chemicals that cause cancer. Carbon monoxide, benzpyrene, tar, nicotine, arsenic, formaldehyde, nitric oxide, lead, acetone, cadmium, hydrogen cyanide, phenol, acetaldehyde and catechol are some of the chemicals present in cigarette smoke.
Types
There are two types of cigarette smoke: primary and secondhand. Primary cigarette smoke is the smoke that a smoker inhales directly from the cigarette. Secondhand smoke is the smoke that someone near a smoker inhales.
Locations
The American Cancer Society lists four places where people are exposed to cigarette smoke: home, work, the car and public places. However, cigarette smoke is a problem in any enclosed place because the levels of toxins from cigarette smoke can build up in these places. In open air, cigarette smoke is a problem when someone has to cross through a smoky area because the toxins are inhaled while walking.
Dangers
Cigarette smoke is linked to numerous health conditions, including lung cancer, breast cancer, emphysema, bronchitis, heart disease, stroke, pneumonia and other breathing problems. Children exposed to cigarette smoke are more likely to suffer from asthma and/or middle ear infections. Cigarette smoke has also been linked to sudden infant death syndrome, various pregnancy problems and birth complications, such as low birth weight and miscarriage.
Prevention/Solution
One concern about cigarette smoke is that ventilated smoking areas or separate smoking and nonsmoking areas don't protect nonsmokers from the dangers of cigarette smoke, says the World Health Organization. The only way to protect nonsmokers is to provide them with a totally smoke-free environment. As such, many municipalities and governments have instituted indoor air quality guidelines, according to the American Cancer Society. Some jurisdictions also have passed laws that prohibit smoking in vehicles when children are present.
References
- American Lung Association: Facts About Cigarette Smoking
- American Cancer Society: Secondhand Smoke
- World Health Orgainization: 10 Facts on Secondhand Smoke
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Smoking
- State Building and Construction Trades Council of California: Some of the Chemicals in Cigarette Smoke
