Here are some common questions and answers about secondhand smoke also known
as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS).
Q: What is secondhand smoke?
A: Secondhand smoke is a mixture of the smoke given off by the burning end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar, and the smoke exhaled from the lungs of smokers. Exposure to secondhand smoke is called involuntary smoking, or passive smoking.
Q: How does secondhand smoke affect my health?
A: Secondhand smoke has been classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a known cause of lung cancer in humans (Group A carcinogen). in 2000, the National Institutes of Health formally listed secondhand smoke as a known carcinogen in its 9th Report on Carcinogens. Secondhand smoke is estimated by EPA to cause approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths in nonsmokers each year.
Q: What about the risks to children?
A: Secondhand smoke is a serious health risk, particularly to children. EPA estimates that secondhand smoke is responsible for between 150,000 and 300,000 lower respiratory tract infections in infants and children under 18 months of age annually, resulting in up to 15,000 hospitalizations each year. Children exposed to secondhand smoke are also more likely to have reduced lung function and symptoms of respiratory irritation like cough, excess phlegm, and wheeze.
Passive smoking can lead to increased risk of fluid buildup in the middle ear, the most common cause of hospitalization of children for an operation. Children with asthma are especially at risk. EPA estimates that exposure to secondhand smoke increases the number of episodes and severity of symptoms in 400,000 and 1,000,000 children with asthma. Moreover, secondhand smoke is a risk factor for new cases of asthma in children who have not previously exhibited asthma symptoms.
Q: What can I do to reduce my family's risk from ETS?
A: Do not smoke in your home or car or permit others to do so. If a family member insists on smoking indoors, increase ventilation in the area where smoking takes place. Open windows or use exhaust fans. Do not smoke if children are present, particularly infants and toddlers. They are particularly susceptible to the effects of passive smoking.
Q: Where can I get more information?
A: Contact your local Extension Office, your state department of health, or the National Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse (1-800-438-4318). Other agencies with information are:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion: (800) CDC-1311
National Cancer Institute: 800-4-CANCER
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: 301-592-8573
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: 1-800-35-NIOSH
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, http://www.epa.gov/smokefree