The best way to protect your family from the health effects of second-hand smoke is to quit smoking and make your home and car 100% smoke-free.
What is second-hand smoke?
Second-hand smoke is what smokers exhale and what rises from an idle burning cigarette, cigar or pipe.
Second-hand smoke spreads from one room to another even if the door of the smoking area is closed. Also, harmful chemicals can cling to rugs, curtains, clothes, food, furniture, and other materials, and can remain in a room or car long after someone has smoked.
If anyone is smoking in your car or home, you and your family are being exposed to second-hand smoke.
No level of ventilation will eliminate the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. Opening a car or room window or turning on a fan may cause the smoke to be blown directly back inside.
Air fresheners only mask the smell of the smoke and do not reduce the harm in any way. Even air filters (air purifiers) cannot remove all of the cancer-causing agents.
Health risks
Did you know?
Second-hand smoke is especially dangerous to children because their lungs are still developing. Many chemicals in second-hand smoke can even pass through a pregnant woman's placenta and reach the fetus.
Second-hand smoke hurts everyone. It contains the same 4,000+ chemicals that are inhaled by a smoker. At least 70 of the chemicals found in second-hand smoke are known to cause cancer.
People who breathe second-hand smoke are at risk for:
- heart problems
- lung cancer
- emphysema
- breathing problems (like asthma)
- chest infections
- ear infections
- excessive coughing
- throat irritation
Unborn babies are at extra risk for: | More – the rest of the article |
http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/environment-environnement/home-maison/smoke-fumee-eng.php
