Passive but Dangerous

Passive smoke or secondhand smoke is that smoke which comes out of the end of the cigarette and what is exhaled by a smoker. Exposure to second-hand smoke is as dangerous to the non-smoker as smoking is to the smoker.

It contains more than 4000 chemical compounds and is even more carcinogenic than active smoking. It is one of the major sources of indoor air pollution.

Tobacco smoke is an irritant. Some of the immediate effects include eye irritation, headache, cough, sore throat, dizziness and nausea. Short-term exposure to tobacco smoke also has a measurable effect on the heart. Just 30 minutes is enough to reduce coronary blood flow. Passive smoking increases the risk of lower respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis, pneumonia and bronchitis in children; and is a risk factor for new cases of asthma.

Some studies have revealed that passive smoking may also affect children's mental development. Deficits were found in reading and reasoning skills among children even at low levels of smoke exposure. In the longer term, passive smokers suffer an increased risk of a range of smoking-related diseases. Non-smokers, who are exposed to passive smoking in the home, have a 25 percent increased risk of heart diseases and lung cancer.

How to protect yourself

• The only way to fully protect yourself and your loved ones from the dangers of second hand smoke is through 100 percent smoke free environments. The single best way to create a smoke free environment is to quit smoking.
• Make your home and car smoke-free.
• Ask people not to smoke around you and your kids.
• Make sure that your children's day care center or school is smoke-free.
• Thank businesses for being smoke-free. Let owners of businesses that are not smoke-free know that second hand smoke is harmful to your family's health.
• Teach children to stay away from secondhand smoke.
• Avoid second hand smoke exposure especially if you or your children have respiratory conditions, heart disease, or if you are pregnant.
• Talk to your healthcare provider about the dangers of second hand smoke.
• Quit smoking.
• If you can't quit then switch to a greener and health friendly alternative such as the E-Cigarette.