Second hand smoke is a combination of exhaled smoke and the smoke produced by the end of a cigarette, cigar, or pipe. It consists of more than 4,000 different chemical compounds, including nicotine, carbon monoxide, ammonia, formaldehyde and arsenic. More than 50 of these chemicals are known to cause cancer. Others are known or suspected mutagens that are capable of mutating or changing the genetic structure of cells.

Higher concentrations of these toxic chemicals are found in second hand smoke compared to the mainstream smoke inhaled by the smoker. In fact, second hand smoke contains:

• Over 3 times the amount of tar
• Up to 5 times the carbon monoxide
• Up to 6 times the nicotine

In addition to the poisonous chemicals that are already in smoke, second hand smoke may also contain pesticides, herbicides and other toxic additives that are used to manufacture tobacco products.

Is there any safe level of exposure to second hand smoke?

No, there is no safe level of exposure. Two of the known human carcinogens found in second hand smoke have an acceptable exposure limit of zero.

What are the health effects of being exposed to second hand smoke?

Exposure to second hand smoke, even for brief periods, can cause eye, nose and throat irritation. It can also cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea, coughing and wheezing. Second hand smoke can seriously intensify symptoms in people with allergies or asthma. Long term exposure causes heart disease and cancer. And remember, even smokers breathe in second hand smoke, in addition to the smoke they inhale directly.

The body's ability to take in and use oxygen is decreased by breathing in second hand smoke. It can affect a non-smoker's lung capacity similar to direct smoking of 1 to 10 cigarettes a day.

Why does second hand smoke cause cancer?

Some chemicals in second hand smoke directly cause cancer. Others help the cancer get started. While others speed up its development, some damage the body's natural cleaning systems so that toxic substances can enter and remain in the body.

What is the risk of heart disease from second hand smoke?

Second hand smoke increases risk of death from heart disease by 20 to 30 percent for non-smokers married to smokers.

What are the effects of second hand smoke exposure for children?

For children who breathe second hand smoke:

• The risk of middle ear infections doubles
• The risk of asthma more than doubles
• The risk of respiratory problems such as coughs, phlegm, an wheezing more than doubles
• The risk of bronchitis and pneumonia can triple
• The risk of allergies doubles
• The are also more likely to:
  • Be cranky, restless and spit up more often from the chemicals they breathe in or receive through breast milk.
  • Be hospitalized due to illnesses in their first year of life.
  • Be hyperactive.
  • Be 3-5 months behind other children in reading and math skills.

If mothers smoked, or were exposed to second hand smoke while pregnant, their children may have more difficulty with reading, mathematics and related skills.

Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of second hand smoke. They breathe faster than adults do and inhale more air and pollutants relative to their body weight.

This information should not be used as a threat to get someone to quit. Use it to remind yourself of the benefits to you and your children if they decide to quit. Resolve to help them in their journey to become smoke-free.

While your loved one is deciding the best time and method to begin their quit smoking program, discuss making your home smoke-free. This means only smoking outside of the house.

Copyright 2003 by the Stop Smoking Center. Used by permission.

Decreasing exposure to second hand smoke:

1. Encourage family or friends who smoke to quit
2. Do not smoke around the pregnant woman, the infant or the child
3. Do not smoke in the home or family vehicle
4. Ensure that places where children spend time are smoke-free

References:

American Heart Association (1999). "Environmental tobacco smoke" & American Council on Science and Health "Environmental Tobacco Smoke: Health Risk or Hype?"

Heart and Stroke Foundation. Fact Sheet. Environmental tobacco smoke: Behind the smoke screen.

Health Canada. Smoking and Indoor air quality. Fact Sheet.

Health Canada. Passive smoking: Nowhere to hide. Fact Sheet.

Health Canada (1995). The effects of tobacco smoke and second-hand smoke on the prenatal and postpartum periods: A summary of the literature. Tobacco Free booklets for prenatal and postpartum periods; Booklet #3.

Tracey E. Taylor (1995). How does smoking affect your pregnancy? (fact sheet) How to talk about smoking with high risk pregnant smokers. Council for a Tobacco Free Ontario, Toronto, Canada.

Financial Contribution from the Tobacco Control Programme/Prevention, Cessation and Education, Health Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the officials policies of Health Canada.Pregnets Support Group Software (WebTriage) and Nicotine Dependency Test copyright 2008 by V-CC Systems Inc. All worldwide patent rights reserved. All rights reserved.