Effects of Passive Smoking

What exactly is passive smoking?

Passive smoking, often referred to as second hand smoke, is basically the smoke generated from cigarettes and the smoke exhaled by smokers. It can't always be seen or even smelt and can remain in the air for up to 2.5 hours. The effects of passive smoking are like those of first hand smoke, and it is considered to be very dangerous to all non-smokers, especially children. It is responsible for an increased death rate in adults and children, and an increased risk of disease. The effects of passive smoking are the reason that there is a smoking ban in most public spaces today.

What are the effects of passive smoking?

If you are a smoker, you are inhaling up to 4000 harmful chemicals with every cigarette you smoke. Non-smokers at the receiving end of second hand smoke can also inhale those same 4000 toxic chemicals every time they are exposed to passive smoke. The effects of second hand smoke are so dire, they can be as harsh and lethal as regular smoking effects. As a non smoker, some of the effects of second hand smoke are;

• Cardiovascular diseases and negative effects on circulatory system, which can lead to increased risk of heart attack and heart diseases.
• Cancer - passive smoking effects can greatly increase the risk of cancer. Cancers that are associated with passive smoking are lung cancer, breast cancer in women, renal cancer and also brain tumors.
• Respiratory diseases as well as problems with the ears, nose and throat. From asthma to continuous coughing, shortness of breath and a blocked nose.
• Premature birth or low birth weight in pregnant women. Can also negatively affect the development of a growing, unborn foetus.

The effects on children

While passive smoking has a large effect on adults, it has an even more negative and damaging effect on children. The reason for this is that children are still developing and growing and are thus more sensitive to the passive smoking effects caused by smokers. Children are more susceptible to the following effects of passive smoking:

• Asthma
• Development delays and learning difficulties
• Lung infections
• Middle ear infections
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Second hand smoke's effects are as harmful as the effects of smoking, except the people that are generally exposed to them are non-smokers. So remember that every time you light a cigarette, you're not just putting yourself at risk, but everyone else around you too.