Passive smoking: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 02:55, 11 December 2024

Health effects of involuntary inhalation of tobacco smoke

Secondhand smoke in a public place

Passive smoking, also known as secondhand smoke, refers to the involuntary inhalation of smoke by non-smokers who are in the vicinity of active smokers. This smoke is a combination of "sidestream smoke" from the burning end of a cigarette, cigar, or pipe, and "mainstream smoke" exhaled by the smoker. Passive smoking is a significant public health concern due to its association with various health risks.

Health Effects[edit]

Passive smoking has been linked to numerous health problems in both adults and children. In adults, it increases the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. In children, exposure to secondhand smoke is associated with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), asthma, respiratory infections, and ear infections.

Cardiovascular Disease[edit]

Exposure to secondhand smoke can lead to the development of cardiovascular diseases. It is estimated that passive smoking increases the risk of heart disease by 25-30% in non-smokers. The chemicals in tobacco smoke can damage the lining of blood vessels, leading to atherosclerosis and increased risk of heart attacks.

Respiratory Problems[edit]

Secondhand smoke is a known cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. It contains over 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic and at least 70 are known to cause cancer. In addition to lung cancer, passive smoking can exacerbate asthma and lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Effects on Children[edit]

Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of passive smoking. Exposure can lead to a range of health issues, including increased frequency and severity of asthma attacks, respiratory infections, and a higher risk of developing lung cancer later in life.

File:Exposure to secondhand smoke by age, race, and poverty level US.png

Exposure to secondhand smoke by age, race, and poverty level in the US

Prevention and Legislation[edit]

Many countries have implemented smoking bans in public places to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke. These bans have been shown to decrease the incidence of heart attacks and improve public health outcomes. Public awareness campaigns also play a crucial role in educating the public about the dangers of passive smoking.

Measurement of Exposure[edit]

Exposure to secondhand smoke can be measured using various methods, including the detection of nicotine or cotinine (a metabolite of nicotine) in the blood, saliva, or urine. Breath carbon monoxide (CO) monitors can also be used to assess exposure levels.

File:Breath CO Monitor.jpg

A breath CO monitor used to measure exposure to tobacco smoke

Also see[edit]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-= Passive Smoking =
+{{Short description|Health effects of involuntary inhalation of tobacco smoke}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
+[[File:Smoke-by-a-window-in-a-pub.jpg|thumb|Secondhand smoke in a public place]]
-[[File:Smoking-smoke-cigarette-man-lung-cancer-1.jpg|thumb|500px|right|Exposure to secondhand smoke in a public place]]
+'''Passive smoking''', also known as '''secondhand smoke''', refers to the involuntary inhalation of smoke by non-smokers who are in the vicinity of active smokers. This smoke is a combination of "sidestream smoke" from the burning end of a cigarette, cigar, or pipe, and "mainstream smoke" exhaled by the smoker. Passive smoking is a significant public health concern due to its association with various health risks.
-Passive smoking, also known as secondhand smoking, occurs when a nonsmoker inhales the smoke from cigars, cigarettes, or pipes used by others. This exposure poses significant health risks, including an increased likelihood of developing cancer and respiratory disorders.
+==Health Effects==
+Passive smoking has been linked to numerous health problems in both adults and children. In adults, it increases the risk of [[coronary heart disease]], [[stroke]], and [[lung cancer]]. In children, exposure to secondhand smoke is associated with [[sudden infant death syndrome]] (SIDS), [[asthma]], respiratory infections, and [[ear infections]].
-== Overview ==
+===Cardiovascular Disease===
-Passive smoking involves the involuntary inhalation of smoke from tobacco products used by others. It is a major public health issue due to its widespread impact and associated health risks.
+Exposure to secondhand smoke can lead to the development of cardiovascular diseases. It is estimated that passive smoking increases the risk of heart disease by 25-30% in non-smokers. The chemicals in tobacco smoke can damage the lining of blood vessels, leading to atherosclerosis and increased risk of heart attacks.
-== Composition of Secondhand Smoke ==
+===Respiratory Problems===
-Secondhand smoke is a mixture of two forms of smoke from burning tobacco products:
+Secondhand smoke is a known cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. It contains over 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic and at least 70 are known to cause cancer. In addition to lung cancer, passive smoking can exacerbate asthma and lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
-=== Mainstream Smoke ===
+===Effects on Children===
-Smoke exhaled by a smoker.
+Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of passive smoking. Exposure can lead to a range of health issues, including increased frequency and severity of asthma attacks, respiratory infections, and a higher risk of developing lung cancer later in life.
-=== Sidestream Smoke ===
+[[File:Exposure to secondhand smoke by age, race, and poverty level US.png|thumb|Exposure to secondhand smoke by age, race, and poverty level in the US]]
-Smoke from the lighted end of a tobacco product, which contains higher concentrations of carcinogens.
-== Health Risks ==
+==Prevention and Legislation==
-Exposure to secondhand smoke has been linked to several health problems, particularly in non-smokers who are regularly exposed.
+Many countries have implemented [[smoking bans]] in public places to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke. These bans have been shown to decrease the incidence of heart attacks and improve public health outcomes. Public awareness campaigns also play a crucial role in educating the public about the dangers of passive smoking.
-=== Cancer ===
+==Measurement of Exposure==
-Passive smoking significantly increases the risk of lung cancer and other types of cancer.
+Exposure to secondhand smoke can be measured using various methods, including the detection of nicotine or cotinine (a metabolite of nicotine) in the blood, saliva, or urine. Breath carbon monoxide (CO) monitors can also be used to assess exposure levels.
-=== Respiratory Disorders ===
+[[File:Breath CO Monitor.jpg|thumb|A breath CO monitor used to measure exposure to tobacco smoke]]
-It can lead to or exacerbate respiratory disorders, especially in children and infants.
+==Also see==
+* [[Smoking ban]]
-=== Cardiovascular Diseases ===
+* [[Tobacco smoking]]
-Exposure to secondhand smoke is also associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
+* [[Health effects of tobacco]]
+* [[Environmental tobacco smoke]]
-== Impact on Children and Infants ==
-Children and infants are particularly vulnerable to the effects of passive smoking, which can lead to increased risks of asthma, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and respiratory infections.
-== Regulations and Public Health Measures ==
-Many countries have implemented laws and public health measures to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke, such as smoking bans in public places.
-=== Smoking Bans ===
-[[File:No smoking sign in three languages at Barceloneta beach in Barcelona, Spain (2022).jpg|thumb|500px|right|A 'No Smoking' sign in a public area]]
-These bans are aimed at protecting non-smokers, especially in enclosed spaces such as restaurants, workplaces, and public transport.
-== Prevention and Education ==
-Public education campaigns focus on the dangers of secondhand smoke and the importance of smoke-free environments.
-== References ==
-<references/>
+{{Tobacco}}
+[[Category:Smoking]]
 [[Category:Public health]]
-[[Category:Tobacco]]
+[[Category:Tobacco control]]
-[[Category:Respiratory health]]
-{{stub}}