Promoting a Smoke-Free Environment Health Risks of Tobacco Smoke Reducing Your Risks Creating a Smoke-free Society

Tobacco smoke can harm nonsmokers Nonsmokers who breathe air containing tobacco smoke are also at risk for health problems –Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) – or secondhand smoke, is air that has been contaminated by tobacco smoke. –ETS is composed of mainstream smoke – the smoke exhaled from the lungs of a smoker, (contains lower concentrations of carcinogens, nicotine, and tar) –sidestream smoke, the smoke from the burning end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar (this type of smoke is more dangerous than mainstream) –ETS from cigarettes, cigars, and pipes contains more than 4,000 chemical compounds, more than 50 of them are cancer-causing carcinogens

Secondhand smoke causes about 3,000 deaths from lung cancer a year ETS causes eye irritation, headaches, ear infections, and coughing at all ages, worsens asthma and respiratory problems, increases the risk of coronary heart disease Smoking during pregnancy passes nicotine through the placenta, constricting blood vessels of the fetus, carbon monoxide reduces oxygen levels in the blood of mother and fetus, increases risk of impaired fetal growth, spontaneous miscarriage and prenatal death, premature delivery, low birth weight, deformities, and stillbirths, infant could also suffer from growth and developmental problems in early childhood Babies of mother who smoke during pregnancy or exposed to ETS are more likely to die of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), infants exposed to ETS after birth odds double to the chances to SIDS, they could have severe asthma attacks, ear infections, or respiratory tract infections

Children of smokers tend to have a higher incidence of sore throats, ear infections, and upper respiratory problems than children of nonsmoker Secondhand smoke can slow lung development. Children who live with smokers are more likely to have weaker lungs than children of nonsmokers Children learn by example, those children of smokers are more than twice as likely to smoke themselves

You can take action to reduce the effects of ETS. Establish smoke-free areas in the house, or make a rule that smokers go outside If a smoker cannot go outside, air cleaners can help remove some contaminants from the air Open windows to allow fresh air in Request that visitors refrain from smoking while their at your home If you visit a home where someone is a smoker refrain from being in the same room or stay outside, ask them to open a window, meet at another location Express wherever you can for a smoke-free environment