Effects of Second Hand Smoke

Secondhand smoke or ETS is due to burning tobacco and the mainstream smoke that is exhaled by the smoker. It comprises highest levels of nicotine, carbon monoxide, tar and various other carcinogens and hence a regular exposure to secondhand smoke can be more harmful than directly smoking a cigarette.

Secondhand smoking causes eye irritation, cough, sore throat, headache, nausea and dizziness.  Even the major cause for lung cancer among non smokers is due to secondhand smoke.  Second hand smoke can also cause cardiovascular problems and can have short term and long term effects to the heart by lessening its capacity to function and lowers the flow of the blood to carry oxygen.  The chemicals in secondhand smoke blocks the arteries and this can give rise to problems like atherosclerosis, hypertension and later heart attack.  

Studies show that non smokers exposed to ETS have a greater risk of asthma as it affects their lung function.  Recent studies also revealed an increase in the risk of breast cancer among women.  Babies born to women who smoked during pregnancy are often born premature and have a low birth weight and are prone to illness all their life.  Children who are exposed to secondhand smoke are likely to be affected with pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis, other respiratory problems and also increases their vulnerability to develop cancer during their adulthood