{"id":399,"date":"2022-03-16T13:41:17","date_gmt":"2022-03-16T13:41:17","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2023-01-10T13:04:15","modified_gmt":"2023-01-10T13:04:15","slug":"is-second-hand-smoke-worse-for-you-than-smoking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/is-second-hand-smoke-worse-for-you-than-smoking\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Second Hand Smoke Worse For You Than Smoking?"},"content":{"rendered":"

You likely already know that smoking cigarettes is extremely dangerous, but are you aware of the dangers of second hand smoke, from the cigarettes of other people?<\/p>\n

Responsible for a host of potentially fatal issues, such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and lung diseases, smoking lowers your chances of a long and healthy life. This is why it\u2019s so important to seek help for quitting smoking if you feel you\u2019re unable to stop alone.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, sometimes you don\u2019t need to be a smoker to suffer from the negative impact of cigarette smoke. Second hand smoke can be just as dangerous as smoking directly, particularly if you\u2019re naturally more predisposed to high levels of smoke sensitivity.<\/p>\n

Below, we\u2019ll be exploring the dangers of second hand smoke, and discussing whether it can be just as bad, or even worse for your health than smoking.<\/p>\n

What is Second Hand Smoke?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Second hand smoke refers to your exposure to the dangerous substances from cigarettes other people are smoking. If you\u2019re around people who smoke regularly, you should be aware of the dangers of second hand smoke. When someone smokes a cigarette, tobacco pipe, cigar, or even an e-cigarette, all of the smoke won\u2019t necessarily go into their lungs.<\/p>\n

As you may notice, people who smoke are often surrounded by a cloud of smoke pollution, made up by the smoke they exhale, and the \u201cside stream\u201d of smoke created at the lit end of a cigarette.<\/p>\n

People situated nearby a smoker can easily inhale some of this secondary smoke, even if they\u2019re not standing directly in the cloud. This \u201cpassive\u201d smoking makes second hand smokers more likely to get the same diseases as smokers, from lung cancer to heart disease.<\/p>\n

Second hand smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, hundreds of which are toxic. According to some studies, there are approximately 70 ingredients<\/a> in second hand smoke capable of causing cancer.<\/p>\n

According to the CDC, there is no risk-free level of exposure to second hand smoke. Even people who only inhale a very small amount of this smoke can be exposed to a variety of health issues, from severe asthma attacks to strokes.<\/p>\n

\"circlemagazine-circledna-second-hand-smoke\"<\/figure>\n

How Dangerous is Second Hand Smoke?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

With so many lethal irritants, toxins, and cancer-causing substances in second hand smoke, it\u2019s best to avoid exposure at all costs. This is one of the many reasons why so many governments have prevented people from smoking in enclosed public spaces over the years.<\/p>\n

Although research into the dangers of second hand smoke is still ongoing, current studies indicate it\u2019s not quite as dangerous as first-hand smoke for most people. Around 480,000 US deaths occur from smoking in general each year. Alternatively, exposure to second hand smoke causes around 41,000 deaths<\/a> in America each year.<\/p>\n

Of course, second hand, and passive smoking is still extremely dangerous. Part of what makes second hand smoke so problematic is you may not always be aware you\u2019re exposed to it. A lot of the irritants and substances in second hand smoke are invisible. Opening a window or smoking in another room of a home won\u2019t necessarily protect your family.<\/p>\n

Smoke can also linger in the air for several hours after someone finishes a cigarette, meaning it\u2019s easy for dangerous toxins to be passed to non-smokers. Similar to smoking, second hand smoke is known to cause cancer, even in people who have never smoked fully.<\/p>\n

Common cancers caused by second hand smoke include larynx, nasopharynx, and breast cancer. Exposure of mothers and babies to second hand smoke can also cause childhood cancers including lymphoma and leukaemia.<\/p>\n

Second hand smoke can also be harmful in other ways. Breathing second hand smoke affects the heart and blood vessels, increasing blood pressure and increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke. Experts even say second hand smoke can heighten your risk of heart disease.<\/p>\n

Who is Most At Risk When it Comes to the Dangers of Second Hand Smoke?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

For anyone, regular exposure to second hand smoke is dangerous. However, some people are more at risk than others. People who breathe in second hand smoke regularly are at greater risk of diseases such as lung cancer and heart disease because they get more frequent exposure. As a result, children who grow up with a parent who frequently smokes or people with smoking partners are at greater risk.<\/p>\n

Some people are also more likely to suffer from a wider range of problems as a result of second hand smoke. Pregnant women exposed to second hand smoke are at greater risk of premature birth.<\/p>\n

Children are particularly at-risk from second hand smoke, because they have less developed airways, immune systems, and lungs. Children in a household where at least one person smokes will be more likely to develop<\/a>:<\/p>\n