The Dangers of Secondhand Smoke

Everyone knows that smoking cigarettes is bad for your health. However, secondhand smoke is also a health risk as it contains over 7,000 chemicals, 70 of which are carcinogenic. Not only are adults affected, but also children, infants, and even animals. Some of the most common diseases caused by secondhand smoke are:

Cancer

Lung cancer is not the only health problem that secondhand smoke can cause. Smoke can also raise your risk of:

• Brain cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Breast cancer
• Stomach cancer

Lung Infections

Secondhand smoke can irritate your lungs and increase your chances of getting bronchitis or pneumonia. Young children and the elderly are especially susceptible to lung infections from being around someone who smokes regularly.

Worsened Asthma

Approximately 21% of adults in the United States have asthma and tobacco smoke is one of the most common triggers for asthma attacks. Even mild symptoms can be exacerbated by being around a person smoking cigarettes.

Not only does smoking cigarettes affect people, but also inanimate objects in the area. The smell can permeate many materials, including clothing, hair, carpet, and furniture. If enough smoke accumulates, it can also stain and discolor things.

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