Smoking is the main cause of preventable death and disease in the U.S. Exposure to secondhand smoke--also known as passive smoking--carries many of the same health risks as regular smoking due to the harmful compounds in exhaled and side-stream smoke. Understanding the risks of second-hand smoking raises awareness and gives people the information necessary to make decisions about their health.
Cancer
Cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemical compounds, many of which have been proven carcinogenic. According to the Mayo Clinic, second-hand smoke contains cyanide, benzene, carbon monoxide and the radioactive element polonium-210, among others. These cancerous compounds can remain in the air for hours, accumulating in the lungs of smokers and non-smokers alike. In addition to lung cancer, cigarette smoke has been linked to several other diseases, including cancer of the pancreas, kidney, esophagus and cervix, according to the American Cancer Society.
Respiratory Distress
Second-hand smoke exposure is a major contributing factor in the development of respiratory infections in kids and adults. The American Cancer Society states that passive smoking is responsible for 50,000 to 300,000 cases of bronchitis and pneumonia in kids under 18 months of age each year. Second-hand smoke exposure is especially dangerous for people with respiratory conditions like asthma. Cigarette smoke aggravates asthma by increasing both the number and severity of acute attacks, resulting in an overall worsening of symptoms, such as shortness of breath and wheezing.
Cardiovascular Disease
While cigarette smoke is primarily associated with respiratory problems, it also increases the likelihood of heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, exposure to second-hand smoke at work and in the home raises heart disease risk by 25 to 30 percent. Cigarette smoke damages the cardiovascular system by increasing blood viscosity, which leads to stickiness and increased clotting. As a result, circulation becomes impaired, blood vessels are damaged and coronary blood flow reserves are depleted, all of which can trigger heart attack and stroke.
Reproductive Problems
Mothers and babies exposed to secondhand smoke may suffer from a variety of serious health problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control, second-hand smoke exposure during pregnancy increases a woman's risk of having a low birth-weight baby by roughly 20 percent. In addition, infants exposed to secondhand smoke die from sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, at higher rates than other babies.
