Passive Smoking: Risks and Consequences

Take it Right Outside

For more information, visit the Take it Right Outside campaign for advice on handling second-hand smoke.

Second-hand smoke or vapor exposes individuals to harmful chemicals, increasing health risks, particularly for pregnant women and children.

How to protect yourself from second-hand smoke:

• Avoid places where smoking is allowed indoors.
• Ask smokers to smoke outside, away from entryways and windows.
• Use air purifiers in your home to help reduce exposure to second-hand smoke.
• If you smoke, try to quit or smoke outside to protect others from second-hand smoke.

How to protect against secondhand smoke

To protect others, quit smoking completely or ensure smoke-free surroundings around them.

• Smoke outdoors and request visitors to do the same
• Avoid smoking indoors or in vehicles with others
• Use air purifiers in indoor spaces to help filter out smoke particles
• Encourage friends and family members to quit smoking to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke
• Support smoke-free policies in public places and establishments

The risks of passive smoking

Second-hand smoke contains over 4,000 harmful substances, posing health risks to those who are exposed.

Even if efforts are made to lower exposure, those around you still inhale the detrimental toxins in smoke.

Limiting smoking to specific areas doesn’t prevent the spread of harmful smoke particles.

Studies have shown that non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke are at an increased risk of developing respiratory infections, asthma, and even lung cancer.

Children exposed to passive smoking are particularly vulnerable, with increased risks of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), respiratory infections, and reduced lung function.

It is important to create smoke-free environments to protect the health of non-smokers and especially children, as the effects of passive smoking can be long-lasting and severe.

Children and passive smoking

Children are more vulnerable to passive smoking due to their underdeveloped systems, facing risks like asthma and respiratory infections.

Smoking in vehicles with children has been prohibited to safeguard their health from harmful second-hand smoke.

It is important for parents and caregivers to create smoke-free environments for children to protect them from the dangers of passive smoking. Second-hand smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, many of which are harmful and can lead to serious health problems in children, such as respiratory issues, ear infections, and even sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

How safe is e-cig vapour?

E-cigarettes do not produce tobacco smoke, reducing the risks of passive smoking associated with conventional cigarettes.

Although research is ongoing, evidence suggests limited risks from passive vaping compared to smoking.

It’s advisable to avoid vaping around babies and children as a precaution.

Consult your GP for advice on quitting smoking using nicotine-free medicines or replacement therapies.

Second-hand smoke or vapor consists of ‘mainstream’ and ‘sidestream’ smoke containing harmful chemicals that can affect children when inhaled.

Smoking around children is not only harmful but can also be illegal in some places. Laws and regulations regarding smoking around children vary by location, so it’s important to be aware of the rules in your area.

What is third-hand smoke or vapour?

Third-hand smoke or vapor lingers on surfaces after smoking or vaping, exposing children to harmful chemicals even after smoking has ceased.

Attempting to ventilate rooms or confining smoking to specific areas does not eliminate third-hand smoke.

Third-hand smoke can be particularly harmful to infants and young children, as they may come into contact with contaminated surfaces and then put their hands in their mouth, ingesting the toxins. It can also pose risks for adults, especially those with respiratory conditions or compromised immune systems.

To reduce the risk of third-hand smoke exposure, it is important to avoid smoking or vaping indoors and to regularly clean and disinfect surfaces where smoking has occurred. Washing hands frequently, especially before eating or touching your face, can also help minimize exposure to lingering toxins.

Second-hand smoke is the smoke that is exhaled by a smoker or that comes from the burning end of a cigarette, cigar, or pipe. This type of smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, hundreds of which are toxic, and about 70 can cause cancer. When children are exposed to second-hand smoke, they are at higher risk for respiratory infections, asthma, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and other health issues.

Third-hand smoke is the residue that lingers on surfaces and in dust after a cigarette has been extinguished. This residue can react with common indoor pollutants to create a toxic mix of chemicals that can be harmful to children when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. Babies and young children are especially vulnerable to the effects of third-hand smoke due to their hand-to-mouth behavior and tendency to crawl on floors and put objects in their mouths.

Vapor from e-cigarettes and other electronic smoking devices also pose risks to children. The aerosol emitted from these devices can contain harmful chemicals such as nicotine, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds. Children may be exposed to these chemicals directly or through contact with contaminated surfaces.

It is important for parents and caregivers to protect children from exposure to second-hand smoke, third-hand smoke, and vapor by creating smoke-free environments both inside and outside the home. By taking steps to reduce children’s exposure to these harmful substances, we can help protect their health and well-being.

Child health risks linked with second-hand smoke, third-hand smoke and vapour

Second-hand smoke and third-hand smoke