What Everybody Ought to Know About Second Hand Smoke

Have you noticed that more and more restaurants, bars, stores, and even entire cities have banned smoking in public buildings? If you are a smoker you probably think it's a pain but the reason is simple, it's because we now know that you can not only die from smoking cigarettes, but also from breathing in smoke in the air around us. Second hand smoke, whether from the burning end of the cigarette, or from a smoker exhaling, can be a serious hazard to your health.

Here's what everybody ought to know about second hand smoke:

Did you know that second hand smoke contains over 60 chemicals that cause or may cause cancer? Thousands of non-smokers die of lung cancer every year, thought to be caused from second hand smoke.

Did you know that some of the toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke are: formaldehyde, benzene, vinyl chlorine, arsenic ammonia, and hydrogen cyanide? Sounds pretty awful!

Did you know that second hand smoke causes heart disease in non-smokers? Heart disease accounts for tens of thousands of deaths every year.

Did you know that non-smokers often visit the doctor for lung related problems caused by second hand smoke? These problems range from coughing, respiratory infections to a decrease in lung functioning.

Did you know that pregnant women exposed to second hand smoke are more likely to have babies with below average birth weights?

Did you know that the incidence of breast cancer may be increased by exposure to second hand smoke?

If you are an adult you generally have the option or ability to leave the room or an area where someone is smoking. However, children don't usually have that luxury and they are more susceptible to the damage caused by cigarette smoke.

Here's what everybody ought to know about second hand smoke that specifically affects children:

Did you know that second hand smoke causes over 150,000 lower respiratory infections every year, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, in children under the age of 18 months?

Did you know that second hand smoke has been indicated as a cause of many SIDS deaths?

Did you know that second hand smoke significantly increases the severity of asthma attacks in children?

Did you know that second hand smoke causes many children to develop ear infections?

Set a good example for your children, don't allow anyone to smoke near your children, including yourself. Subjecting them to smoking can not only cause health problems now but it can impact their health all the way through to adulthood. You are an important role model for your children so you should attempt to quit for their sake. I know how hard it is to do, if you can't quit, at least try to go outside to smoke.

These are just some of the known problems associated with second hand smoke. Tabacco companies have known for many years that both smoking and second hand smoke is dangerous, but they kept this information to themselves. Don't you think it's rather disturbing to think what other consequences second hand smoke causes that we haven't found yet?

Proctect yourself from second hand smoke, if you are a smoker, please try to quit or smoke outdoors to lessen your own exposure. If someone you know smokes near you, encourage them to quit or ask them not to smoke when they're with you or your children.