SMOKE FREE SUFFOLK - 01473 770144          

Home

Alliance Members

Suffolk Stop Smoking Service

Dangers of illegal Tobacco 

Links

The Ban

Second-hand Smoke

A key part of tackling the health risks of smoking is protecting smokers and non-smokers from tobacco smoke. Breathing in other people’s tobacco smoke (also known as second-hand smoke, passive smoking or environmental tobacco smoke) is a health hazard and unpleasant.

·         What is second-hand smoke?

·         What does second-hand smoke contain?

·         What are the effects of second-hand smoke?

·         What about smokeless tobacco?

·         Tips for protecting others from second-hand smoke

What is second-hand smoke?

·         It is the inhaling of other people’s cigarette smoke.

·         It comprises of “sidestream” smoke from the burning tip of the cigarette and “mainstream” smoke exhaled by the smoker.

·         Second-hand smoke is also sometimes referred to as passive smoking and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). Second-hand smoke is a health hazard and there is nothing passive about in haling this smoke.

·         It is a major source of indoor air pollution.

What does second-hand smoke contain?

Second-hand smoke contains five regulated hazardous air pollutants, 47 regulated categories of hazardous waste, more than 100 chemical poisons and over 50 known or suspected cancer causing agents. Some examples of these and their known use include the following:

What are the effects of second-hand smoke?

·         Short term effects of second-hand smoke include shortness of breath, wheeze, cough, nausea, headache and irritation to the eyes.

·         Increased risk of lung cancer by 20-30% in people who live with smokers.

·         Increased risk of coronary heart disease by 25-30%.

·         A recent study estimated that second-hand smoke may kill over 11,000 people every year in the UK from cancer, heart disease, strokes and other diseases

·         Non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke at work have a 12-19% increased lung cancer.

·         A study by the Royal College of Physicians showed that about 17,000 children in the UK are admitted to hospital every year because of illnesses caused by second-hand smoke.

What about smokeless tobacco?

·         Also known as chewing tobacco or snuff, this is popular in South Asian communities in the UK.

·         Most types of smokeless tobacco contain at least 28 different chemicals that can cause cancer.

·         Smokeless tobacco is just as addictive as cigarettes.

·         The amount of nicotine absorbed from smokeless tobacco is 3-4 times greater than that delivered by a cigarette. The nicotine is also absorbed  more slowly and stays in the bloodstream longer.

·         Many studies have shown that smokeless tobacco may cause oral cancer and pancreatic cancer.

·         The current medical advice is that smokers should not use smokeless tobacco to help them quit smoking.

Tips for protecting others from second-hand smoke

·         Keep your home and car smoke-free by smoking outside.

·         If you are out with non-smokers, go to a smoke-free venue (this should be easier after 1 July).

·        Avoid smoking near babies and young children as they are more likely to get coughs and colds, as well as middle ear disease which can cause deafness.