What does second hand smoke cause

Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke. Minus Related Pages. On This Page. Secondhand Smoke Causes Cardiovascular Disease. Even brief exposure to secondhand smoke can damage the lining of blood vessels and cause your blood platelets to become stickier.

These changes can cause a deadly heart attack. Secondhand Smoke Causes Lung Cancer. Secondhand smoke causes lung cancer in adults who have never smoked. Do not smoke or allow smoking in your home or around your baby. Place your baby on his or her back for all sleep times—naps and at night. Secondhand Smoke Harms Children. Secondhand smoke can cause serious health problems in children. Their lungs grow less than children who do not breathe secondhand smoke, and they get more bronchitis and pneumonia.

Select your location to view local American Lung Association events and news near you. Our service is free and we are here to help you. Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke. Section Menu. Key Facts about Secondhand Smoke Secondhand smoke causes approximately 7, deaths from lung cancer and 33, deaths from heart disease each year.

Surgeon General. The report also concluded that secondhand smoke is a definitive cause of stroke. Levels of secondhand smoke in restaurants and bars were found to be times higher than in residences with smokers, and times higher than in office workplaces. Secondhand smoke is responsible for between , and , lower respiratory tract infections in infants and children under 18 months of age, resulting in between 7, and 15, hospitalizations each year.

Reduced progression-free survival the length of time during and after treatment when the cancer does not grow or spread. Simply put: lung cancer patients exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to die than patients not exposed.

Exposure to secondhand smoke makes it harder for lung cancer patients who smoke to quit smoking. What about Thirdhand Smoke? Thirdhand smoke occurs when cancer-causing residue from tobacco smoke sticks to surfaces such as carpets and walls.

Residue lingers for weeks-to-months and can re-enter the air. Children and pets may be most vulnerable. Make a Donation Your tax-deductible donation funds lung disease and lung cancer research, new treatments, lung health education, and more. They're even more sensitive to smoke than adults because their bodies are young and still developing. Research shows that babies and children exposed to a smoky atmosphere are likely to have increased risk of:.

There is also an increased risk of developing bacterial meningitis, bronchitis, pneumonia and acute respiratory illnesses. Visit our Take it Right Outside campaign for quizzes, hints and tips on second-hand smoke. Home Healthy living Stopping smoking Reasons to stop Second-hand smoke. Second-hand smoke. Risks to other people People exposed to second-hand smoke face the same dangers as smokers themselves. A blood clot can block an artery and cause: heart attacks strokes angina complete heart failure In pregnant women exposed to second-hand smoke, there is an increased risk of complications during the pregnancy and after the birth.

Risks to children Children breathe faster than adults, which means they take in more of the harmful chemicals in second-hand smoke. Research shows that babies and children exposed to a smoky atmosphere are likely to have increased risk of: breathing problems, illnesses and infections reduced lung function wheezing illnesses and asthma sudden and unexpected death in infancy SUDI certain ear, nose and throat problems, in particular middle ear disease There is also an increased risk of developing bacterial meningitis, bronchitis, pneumonia and acute respiratory illnesses.

Source: Health Scotland - Opens in new browser window.