Genesee County Health Department
Better Life Through Better Health
The Dangers of Secondhand Smoke
Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), more commonly known as secondhand
smoke, is the United States’ third leading killer, claiming the lives
of an estimated 53,000 nonsmokers every year. Secondhand smoke
contains over 40 cancer-causing agents, and more than 200 known poisons
– including carbon monoxide (car exhaust), acetone (finger nail polish
remover), ammonia (toilet cleaner), tar (asphalt), cyanide (rat poison),
and nicotine (addictive agent).
Secondhand smoke is especially harmful to children. Studies have
linked secondhand smoke to pneumonia, bronchitis, ear infections,
asthma, and other health problems in infants and small children. In
addition, secondhand smoke appears to increase an infant’s risk of
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Every scientific study on the
effects of secondhand smoke adds to evidence that smoking is harmful not
only to smokers, but to everyone who comes into contact with smoke.
There is simply no safe level of exposure to cigarette smoke.
To avoid secondhand smoke exposure;
- Do not permit smoking in your home or vehicle, especially near
children
- Eat at smoke-free restaurants, or ask your favorite restaurant to
go smoke-free.
- Encourage your employer to adopt a smoke-free policy.
- Encourage legislators to enact more legislation protecting the
public from exposure to secondhand smoke.
- Join a tobacco control coalition, such as the Smoke-free,
Multi-Agency Resource Team (S.M.A.R.T.) in Genesee County.
- If you smoke, quit.
This is one of a number of columns to periodically appear in Staying
Well to address health issues of secondhand smoke. For more information
on secondhand smoke or help to quit smoking, contact the Genesee County
Health Department at 257-3612.
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