Secondhand Smoke

Secondhand Smoke

Secondhand smoke comes in two forms: mainstream and sidestream. Mainstream smoke is the smoke that is exhaled from the person using the tobacco product. Sidestream smoke is the smoke emitted from the burning tobacco product. Both are dangerous and both can cause illnesses similiar to smoking.

Did you know...

There are over 4,000 chemicals in secondhand smoke, 200 are known poisons, and 50 are carcinogens (USDHHS, 2006)
Smoke-filled rooms have 6 times the amount of air pollution as a busy highway (CDC, 1993a)
About 50,000 deaths per year are a result of secondhand smoke exposure (USDHHS, 2006)

The Surgeon General's report in 2006 concluded:

Secondhand smoke exposure cause premature death and disease in children and adults who don't smoke
Exposure increases risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrom (SIDS)
There is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke

Useful Links Related to Secondhand Smoke

Secondhand Smoke Exposure Report 2009

Did You Know Part 1

Did You Know Part 2

Did You Know Part 3