Second Hand Smoke
Second hand smoke is the involuntary inhalation of smoke from tobacco products. It occurs when tobacco smoke permeates any environment, causing its inhalation by all people within that environment. Second hand smoke is a complex mix of chemicals produced by burning tobacco. We all know second hand smoke can cause burning eyes and nasal passages, headaches and nausea in nonsmokers but it is more than just an annoyance. You don't have to be a smoker for smoking to harm you. High in toxic chemicals, second hand smoke plays a role in causing or contributing to a number of health problems, from cardiovascular disease to cancer. Just like primary smoking, second hand smoke can cause disease and death. Second hand smoke has been estimated to cause 46,000 deaths per year from heart disease in adult nonsmokers but second hand smoke has a marked effect on the health of infants and children. Children receiving high doses of second hand smoke, such as those with smoking mothers, run t he greatest risk of experiencing damaging health effects. Children who breathe second hand smoke are more likely to suffer from pneumonia, bronchitis, and other lung diseases. Children who have asthma and who breathe second hand smoke are likely to have more asthma attacks. Smoking during pregnancy has been linked to 10 percent of all infant deaths and may be a risk factor for preterm birth.
Third Hand Smoke
Third hand smoke is a relatively new phrase and most people haven't heard of it, nor do they know do know what it means. Third hand smoke is a term used to describe how tobacco smoke contamination lingers even after a cigarette is extinguished. Third hand smoke represents the particles that are left on things in the environment that was smoked in. For example, these toxins are left in clothes, in draperies, in carpet, on furniture, or in the car. Third hand smoke is what one smells when a smoker gets in an elevator after going outside for a cigarette or in a hotel room where people were smoking. Research that is currently underway speculates that third hand smoke may be as hazardous as second hand smoke. Researchers say that third hand smoke contains heavy metals, carcinogens and even radioactive materials. Among the substances in third hand smoke are hydrogen cyanide, used in chemical weapons; butane, which is used in lighter fluid; toluene, found in paint thinners; arse nic; lead; carbon monoxide; and even polonium-210, a highly radioactive carcinogen. Small children are especially susceptible to third hand smoke exposure because they can inhale near, crawl and play on, or touch and mouth contaminated surfaces. Third hand smoke can remain indoors even long after the smoking has stopped. Like exposure to low levels of lead, low levels of tobacco particulates are associated with cognitive deficits among children.
What Can Be Done
With all the facts and technical information out on the table now, the next logical question is, What can be done about second and third hand smoke?
The first and most obvious answer is if you are a smoker, STOP immediately. Different approaches to quitting work for different people. If you're a smoking parent, you couldn't do a better thing for yourself and your loved ones by quitting. Do it for your loved ones and everyone around you.
Next, support smoking bans in your area. Some locations ban smoking in all public places, including bars. The Centers for Disease Control released a study recently showing that the number of heart attack cases dropped in the three years following Pueblo, Colorados smoking ban.
Last, if you have kids, especially teenagers, make sure kids understand the dangers that go along with tobacco use. Giving kids information about the risks of smoking can help protect them from these unhealthy habits. Kids need a strong repeated message. Teaching kids about smoking isnt just one time conversation, its a regular message that you must establish and keep going from childhood through the teenage years and up if necessary.
Some Stop Smoking Resources
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