Dangers of Secondhand Smoke

Secondhand smoke is a concept that is highly underrated. In simple words, second hand smoke is smoke inhaled by a non-smoker from a smoker. Most of us know this as passive smoking. We see people who are very happy about the fact that they don't smoke and how they have saved themselves from one of the most common and dangerous addictions. However, I would like to tell you that secondhand smoke or passive smoking is just as dangerous as active smoking. The effects of passive smoking are enormous and it is a must that we are aware of them. This information below will tell you more about second hand smoking, what are the dangers of secondhand smoke, and a few important facts.

What is Secondhand Smoke?

Before we proceed to the dangers of second hand smoke, it is very important that we know what exactly secondhand smoke means. Secondhand smoke consists of two types of smokes. First is the sidestream smoke which is the smoke that is let out from a lit cigarette or cigar. The second type is known as mainstream smoke which is the smoke that a smoker exhales. Both these smokes are different in terms of concentration of chemicals. Sidestream smoke contains more intense a concentration of carcinogenic chemicals and the particles present in this smoke are smaller in size which gives them an easier entry into body cells. Second hand smoke is also known as Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS). People who breathe or inhale the ETS are known as passive smokers while the condition is known as passive smoking or involuntary smoking.

What Are The Dangers of Secondhand Smoke?

Smoke released due to smoking of tobacco releases approximately 4,000 chemical compounds that it contains. Around 60 of these chemicals are considered carcinogenic. Chemicals and particles such as tar, free radicals, hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide can cause a lot of problems. These effects are divided into long term and short term and are explained below.

Short Term:

Short term effects of smoking are usually observed in a few weeks of exposure to regular passive smoking. One of the earliest observed short term effects of smoking is the discoloration of teeth and reduced sense of smell. Discoloration of teeth is however observed only in active smokers. You might see staining and discoloration/graying of hair. Due to chemicals that cause early aging, you might observe wrinkles as the initial sign. Your breath will smell due to the constant passing of smoke. It also affects eyes and they might water a lot along with frequent blinking. Short term effects of smoking indicate that smoking is affecting your body and that staying away from smoke now, can save trouble later. Let's proceed to the long term effects now.

Long Term:

There are a lot of long term effects of smoking in general which are applicable to passive smoking too. These are highly dangerous and may even result in death. Most of these effects can be avoided by quitting in time but continuous exposure to smoke will eventually make you a victim of these effects. Although all smokers aren't affected, it should be kept in mind that this rule doesn't apply to one and all.

One of the most prominent dangers of secondhand smoke is the occurrence of cancers. Smoking causes not just one but many cancers. A few of them are cancers of the pharynx, kidney, nose, bladder, pancreas, larynx, stomach, cervix and liver. These cancers are caused due to the carcinogenic particles in tobacco smoke. Free radicals present in the smoke also block the arteries which leads to insufficient blood flow to the various parts of the body. Cigarette smoking is a leading cause for impotence and infertility in men, so much so that approximately 30 million or more Americans suffer from it.

Secondhand smoke also has a lot of effects on pregnant women. An expecting mother can pass on a lot of the toxic particles to her unborn. The fetus can suffer from permanent hormonal imbalances and problems due to cigarette smoke. The improper flow of blood that we discussed before, mostly affects the heart wherein it leads to cardiovascular diseases. A smoker is more prone to heart attacks, strokes and eventually bypass surgeries due to blockages in the arteries.

Lung diseases are again an outcome of secondhand smoke. If a person is continuously in company of a regular smoker, the smoke is going to have its effects on both. A lot of smokers suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. This leads to difficulty in contraction and expansion of lungs that eventually lead to breathing problems.

Some Shocking Second Hand Smoke Facts

• Approximately 46,000 deaths of non-smokers were reported in the United States due to heart disease that were caused due to living with smokers.
• Approximately 3,400 non-smoking adults die due to lung cancer.
• Few other problems noticed in non-smokers were reduction in the functioning of lungs, discomfort in the chest, mucus and coughing as well.
• Children less than one and half year old, showed lung infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. The number of children ranged between 50,000 to 300,000.
• Children who suffered from asthma, showed an increased rate of asthma attacks.
• Also reported were middle ear infections in 750,000 children and more.

Knowing all these facts have hopefully caused some sort of awareness about ETS. However indirect or passive, smoking can lead to some very unfateful circumstances. It is always advised to sit in 'No Smoking' zones while dining outside or not let anyone smoke in the car that you travel. Small initiatives can make a lot of difference. Hope this information and these facts were helpful to an extent where, if you smoke, you'll consider quitting and if you don't, you'll at least help someone quit. Stay Healthy!