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The Effects of Second Hand Smoke

Second hand smoke is a combination of exhaled smoke and the smoke produced by the end of a lit cigarette, cigar, or pipe. It consists of numerous different harmful substances, including nicotine and carbon monoxide. More than fifty of these chemicals are known to cause cancer. Others are known or suspected of mutating or changing the genetic structure of cells. The effects of second hand smoke are better understood today and precaution is advised.

Sidestream vs. mainstream smoke
There are two types of smoke produced by cigarettes, cigars, and pipes: mainstream (the smoke exhaled by smokers) and sidestream (the smoke that comes directly off a burning cigarette, cigar, or pipe). Mainstream smoke passes through a filter in the cigarette, and sometimes through the smoker’s lungs, before being exhaled into the air. Sidestream smoke, however, is altogether unfiltered, and contains much higher concentrations of harmful substances, including twice as much nicotine and tar, and five times more carbon monoxide than mainstream. Nearly 85% of the smoke in a room where someone is smoking is sidestream smoke.

Health effects
The effects of second hand smoke, even for brief periods of time, can range from eye, nose and throat irritations to headaches, dizziness, and nausea, as well as coughing and wheezing. Second hand smoke can seriously intensify symptoms in people with allergies or asthma. Long-term exposure can cause heart disease and cancer. 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 in similar ways as it would the lungs of someone smoking 1 to 10 cigarettes a day. The effects of second hand smoke can lead to serious, life-threatening health problems.

Is opening a window sufficient?
Second hand smoke spreads from one room to another, even if the door to the smoking area is closed. Potentially toxic chemicals found in second hand smoke can cling to rugs, curtains, clothes, food and other materials, and usually remains in the room long after the smoker has left. Opening a window or turning on a fan is not enough to completely clear the smoke from a room. Second hand smoke is composed of both particles and gases. While most air filters are designed to remove fine smoke particles from the air, they do not remove the related gases that can cause diseases.

Second hand smoke harms persons of all ages, but it is particularly dangerous to babies and children because their lungs are still developing. A pregnant woman exposed to second hand smoke can have a greater risk of a miscarriage and a greater probability of having a baby with a low birth weight. There is no safe level of second hand smoke exposure. By taking preventative steps, you can avoid exposure to second hand smoke and keep your body as healthy as it can be.