Secondhand Smoke: What It Does to Your Loved Ones and Why It Matters?

With 38.7% of people exposed to secondhand smoke at home and 30.2% at work in India, the concerns surrounding the impacts of secondhand smoke are pretty alarming. We are exposed to these harmful fumes in our everyday lives, not even realising how dangerous they are.

Secondhand smoke, also known as passive smoke or environmental tobacco smoke, is a toxic mixture of smoke exhaled by a smoker and smoke emitted from the burning end of a cigarette. Even though people aren’t smoking actively, the chemicals from combustion are carcinogenic and affect those around them.

If you are curious about secondhand smoke and why it should be a matter of concern, this guide will cover all the details.

What is Secondhand Smoke?

Secondhand smoke or passive smoking happens when you are near an active smoker and end up inhaling the chemical-filled smoke that the smoker exhales. This is known as “sidestream smoke” and covers 85% of the secondhand smoke cases.

When people are exposed to sidestream smoke, it is believed to be a lot more harmful than actually smoking cigarettes since it contains higher concentrations of carcinogens, small toxic particles, and gases. Moreover, sidestream smoke particles are smaller, making it easier to be inhaled and absorbed by non-smokers.

If you are wondering “How Many Cigarettes Cause Cancer,” you’d be surprised to know that being exposed to secondhand smoke can contribute to cancer, even when you haven’t actively picked up a cigarette in your life.

What are the Health Impacts of Secondhand Smoking?

To better understand the implications of secondhand smoke, we have to pay close attention to how it impacts our health. Not just adults, the exposure to secondhand smoke has even worse impacts on children.

Some of them include:

1. Increased Risks of Heart Disease

Smoking, in any form, active or passive, contributes to elevated risks of heart disease. Research also indicates that exposure to secondhand smoke increases the risk of heart disease by 30%. What happens is that when you are exposed to second-hand smoke, you are exposed to the chemicals present in the cigarettes, which inadvertently damage the lining of the blood vessels, interfering with heart functions. When you are exposed to secondhand smoke chronically, the chances of heart attacks, hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases increase, too.

2. Higher Chances of Lung Cancer

Smoking and lung cancer are directly proportionate to each other. The more you smoke, the higher the chances of developing lung cancer. This is applicable even for secondhand smoke. Inhaling carcinogenic compounds in secondhand smoke can damage lung tissues, contributing to DNA mutations and tumour growth over time. Even if an individual has never smoked, prolonged exposure can lead to life-threatening conditions similar to those experienced by active smokers.

3. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Infants that are exposed to secondhand smoke chronically have a heightened chance of dying. The chemicals in secondhand smoke interfere with an infant's breathing patterns and heart rate, contributing to an increased risk of sudden, unexplained death. This explains why it is quintessential that you don’t smoke in close vicinity of an infant.

4. Respiratory Problems

Both adults and children who are exposed to secondhand smoke are at risk of developing respiratory problems. Over time, chronic ailments can result in issues like chronic bronchitis, asthma exacerbation, and other lung diseases. If you already struggle with some kind of pre-existing issue like asthma, inhaling secondhand smoke can further worsen the situation and trigger an asthma attack, leading to poor quality of life.

5. Weakened Immune System

Exposure to secondhand smoke also impacts the immune system negatively. The chemicals in secondhand smoke can suppress the immune system, making it difficult for the body to fight against infections. People who have such a weakened immune system are often at risk of developing frequent respiratory complications like pneumonia and bronchitis, which can become chronic in individuals with prolonged exposure.

Does Secondhand Smoke Have an Impact on Pregnancy?

If you are pregnant and are surrounded by someone who smokes actively, exposure to secondhand smoke throughout the pregnancy can eventually lead to certain complications.

Not just the mother, secondhand smoke also puts the fetus at risk. Some of the most common complications include:

• When you are pregnant and exposed to secondhand smoke, the chemicals can impact the blood flow to the placenta, leading to restricted fetal growth. This, in turn, can contribute to low birth weight.

• Another alarming issue is the elevated risk of premature labour, which also happens due to the chemicals present in secondhand smoke. It can impact the developmental milestones of the baby.

• Babies born to mothers who were exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to experience developmental delays and have cognitive and behavioural issues.

Why does Secondhand Smoke Matter?

Active smoking has its woes, and while you are actively sabotaging your own life, secondhand smoking puts the lives of your loved ones at risk.

Finding active quitting strategies like Nicotine Bubble Gum is quintessential, especially if you want to ensure the optimal well-being of the people around you. While many of us often brush aside the concerns of secondhand smoke, it is an equally alarming situation that requires close monitoring.

Public health policies have made strides to limit exposure to secondhand smoke in public areas, but the responsibility also extends to private spaces and individuals. So, if you are an active smoker and you want to care for the people around you, you must find ways to quit the habit for good and embrace a healthier life.

Final Words

Secondhand smoke is a severe threat to the lives of millions of people who have most likely never picked up a cigarette in their lives. Be it heart disease, cancer or other respiratory problems, exposure to secondhand smoke affects adults and children alike. The effects of secondhand smoke go beyond physical health, impacting mental well-being, family dynamics, and, in many cases, financial stability due to medical expenses that come alongside it. So, if you are making conscious choices to improve your quality of life, quitting smoking is the first step.