Secondhand Smoking and its Effects

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Tobacco smoke is a byproduct of cigarette, cigar or pipe smoking. The burning of tobacco produces smoke which is exhaled by the smokers and inhaled involuntarily by non smokers and this is called second hand smoking or passive smoking. Second hand smoke is of two types. The first one is called the Mainstream smoke which is exhaled by a smoker. The second type is called Sidestream smoke which is released from the burning end of cigarette, cigar or from tobacco burning in the pipe.

During second hand smoking a person happens to inhale the cancer causing chemicals that is inhaled by the smokers. This smoke is known to contain 4000 chemicals out of which 250 are carcinogens and toxins. Both sidestream and mainstream smoke is known to be dangerous. But sidestream smoke is known to contain greater concentration of toxins as it is generated at lower temperatures and under different conditions. Second hand smoke is designated as a known human carcinogen and is also listed as an occupational carcinogen.

Second hand smoking is dangerous to individuals with asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease and other health issues. It affects children adversely by doubling the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease and increasing the risk of bronchiolitis, pneumonia, tonsillitis and asthma. The other effects of second hand smoking are irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, headaches, dizziness, nausea, aggravation of lung disease, reduction of good cholesterol in blood, increased risk of cold, flu and bronchitis.

A smoke free environment is the only way to reduce the dangers of second hand smoking. Quit smoking benefits include the reduction in second hand smoking too.

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Its a well known fact that passive smoking is more dangerous than direct smoking. A person who is a passive smoker and always surrounded by active smokers has more chances of being patient of breath allergies than regular smokers. Smoking is neither good for our health not for others.