Secondhand smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals including poisons and cancer causing agents. The 2006 Surgeon General’s report concludes there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke
There is substantial evidence linking exposure to second-hand smoke with a range of serious and life threatening health impact including heart disease, cancer, asthma, and other respiratory problems.
Children exposed to second hand smoke are at an increases risk of asthma, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), acute respiratory infections and ear problems.
Small children and pets are at risk of swallowing, choking, or burning themselves with cigarette butts and suffering from nicotine poisoning.
Passive smoking, or the inhalation of secondhand smoke, may produce:
– Itching, tearing, burning, reddening, and swelling of eyes
– Sneezing, blocking, running, itching of nose
– Headache, nausea, and dizziness
– Irritation of mucous membranes of nose, throat, and lungs
– Respiratory disease exacerbation
– Respiratory symptoms, depressed pulmonary function
