Smoking is the foremost cause of preventable death and illness in the United States. Sidestream smoke--or smoke that comes directly from burning cigarettes--is a major health risk to nonsmokers. The inhalation of sidestream smoke results in respiratory irritation and exposure to more than 4,000 toxic chemicals, many of which can cause cancer and other diseases. Understanding the health implications of sidestream smoking gives people the information needed to make wise decisions and avoid exposure.
Prevalence
Sidestream smoke is a serious environmental health problem, especially for young children and babies. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, approximately 1 percent of kids age 6 and under are involuntarily exposed to secondhand smoke in their own homes regularly. While this number has declined since 1998, it is still cause for concern due to the serious health effects of passive smoking.
Routes of Exposure
Once present in virtually all establishments, secondhand smoke is much less prominent since smoking began to be banned in public places like restaurants, offices and stores. Still, many nonsmokers are regularly exposed in the home. According to the EPA, 90 percent of all childhood exposures are the result of parental smoking. Despite bans in many places, smoking is still permitted in some public venues. Casinos, outdoor sporting events and many bars and clubs allow smoking, placing all surrounding patrons at risk for serious health problems.
Health Effects
Sidestream smoke is comparable to other environmental toxins like lead and asbestos in its ability to cause disability and disease. Smoking is known to cause heart disease, emphysema and several types of cancer. According to the National Institutes of Health, sidestream smoke from cigarettes is roughly four times more toxic than mainstream smoke.
The effects of sidestream smoke are even more severe in babies and children. The EPA states that secondhand smoke increases the risk of asthma and lower respiratory infections like pneumonia in children. Sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, is also more common among infants exposed to cigarette smoke in the womb or after birth.
Prevention/Solution
The only way to prevent health problems caused by sidestream smoke is to avoid exposure. Parents who smoke should go outside before lighting up to avoid exposing their children and spouses to dangerous sidestream smoke.
Another way to reduce exposure is by avoiding places where smoking is permitted, such as bars or casinos. People exposed to sidestream smoke on a regular basis should be evaluated by a medical professional regularly to monitor lung function and general health.
Misconceptions
The idea that secondhand smoke is less dangerous than mainstream smoke is false and potentially harmful. The tendency to view secondhand smoke as nothing more than a lung irritant or source of unpleasant odor can cause people to downplay the risks or become complacent about avoiding exposure.
