Smoking has been banned in several public places in many countries in the world, as a smoker can develop serious illnesses and diseases. Not only is the smoker affected by the smoke of cigarette or pipe, but also a passive smoker, or rather a person who does not smoke is also affected.
Secondhand smoke is bad for health. Those who do not smoke are badly affected by the smoke exhaled by smokers. Passive smoking is a health problem. At home, smokers can smoke freely, but in the process those who do not smoke are also exposed to it. Babies and children are also exposed to the risks of inhaling secondhand smoke.
According to estimates 21% of adults in United States smoke cigarettes. Secondhand smoke is a mixture of 250 toxic chemicals which includes 50 chemicals due to which one could get cancer. Second hand smoke is a proven health risk as it is one of the major cause of heart disease, lungs cancer in non smoking adults exposed to cigerrate smoke. In children it is the major cause of respiratory infections and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
As shown in the image above 126 million nonsmoking Americans are directly affected by secondhand smoke in their homes, public places, vehicles or workplaces. Around 22 million children in US are exposed to secondhand smoke.
What kind of problems one faces by secondhand smoke?
Here are a few facts about how secondhand smoke affects the population which have been highlighted in the report of the Surgeon General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
Babies are badly affected. Their physical and mental growth can be affected by the smoke. They are unable to walk out of the room and are forced to inhale the smoke. Many parents fail to appreciate their vulnerability.
Children in homes where adult smoke have higher levels of cotinine ( this is a biological marker of exposure to secondhand smoke) as compared to those children living in homes where people do not smoke.
Although there has been a decline in the number of children exposed to secondhand smoke in the US since the past 15 years, yet children are more exposed to secondhand smoke as compared to adults.
About 60% of children in the U.S, between 3-11 years, that is about 22 million children are exposed to secondhand smoke. Also about 25% of those between the age group of 3-11 years live with adults who smoke as compared to only 7 % of them with nonsmoking adults.
Secondhand smoke has resulted in the increase of heart disease as well as lung cancer risk among the adult population.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has termed secondhand smoke as causing cancer.
A large number of deaths occur due to exposure to secondhand smoke. In California about 4,700 nonsmokers die of secondhand smoke every year.
Children exposed to secondhand smoke are vulnerable to malfunctioning of the lungs and respiratory problems.
It can cause ear infections among children and also result in hospitalization.
How does secondhand smoke pervade homes?
The smoke can seep into homes and out of closed environments through open windows and doorways.
Ventilation systems that are shared can blow the smoke from one room to another room.
Smoke can enter through electrical sockets, cracks in the ceiling as well as other openings.
To what extent does secondhand smoke at home affect the U.S population?
Based on the Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey, the proportion of those households with smoke free rules governing their homes has increased from 43% in 1992-1993 to 66% 2001-02.
The number of household following smoke-free home rules varies from state to region.
How can the problem of secondhand smoke at home be resolved?
The Surgeon General favors the stoppage of smoking at homes making them free from secondhand smoke. Keeping the nonsmokers separate from smokers and ensuring proper ventilation of the home.
Having smoke free vehicles.
Following smoke-free rules at home to curtail secondhand smoke.
Repairs can be carried out in the homes so that the secondhand smoke does not escape into other rooms.
One can install fans or open windows to bring in fresh air into the rooms.
Ensure that the heating, conditioning units are working properly and rectify any problems that one may experience by operating them.
Secondhand smoke is a serious health problem. It can cause serious diseases such as lung cancer, cardio-vascular diseases and malfunctioning of the lungs etc. It is better to avoid smoking at home as well.
Second hand smoke is an invisible killer. Video below would give you a very clear picture of the same:
