Second hand smoke is established to cause cancer in humans.
Second hand smoke is particularly hazardous to elderly
people, those with chronic heart and lung disease, and
asthmatics.
Infants and children exposed to second hand smoke have
higher risks for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS),
asthma, lung infections, middle ear infections, developmental
abnormalities and cancer.
Workers exposed to second hand smoke at work suffer
a 25-50% higher risk of heart attack, and higher rates
of death from heart disease.
Even brief exposures are harmful.
In
one study, exposure for as
short a period as 30 minutes
caused measurable heart damage
in young healthy males.
There are wrong solutions,
and right solutions.
The
wrong solution – ventilation:
The US EPA states that
second hand smoke cannot
be safely reduced even by
high rates of ventilation.
Air filters do not remove
the carcinogens and other
toxins in smoke.
The
right solution – healthy
policies: Ensuring
completely smoke-free homes,
schools, workplaces and other
public spaces are the best
way to protect everyone’s
health and safety.
In
one study, exposure for as
short a period as 30 minutes
caused measurable heart damage
in young healthy males.
