Second-Hand Smoke

The chemicals and cancer-causing substances found in tobacco smoke also harm non-smokers who breathe in second-hand smoke. Second-hand smoke refers to the combination of smoke from the burning end of a cigarette and the smoke exhaled by a smoker. The act of breathing in second-hand smoke is sometimes referred to as 'passive smoking'. Just as there is no safe level of active smoking, there is no evidence of a safe level of second-hand smoke exposure.

Exposure to second-hand smoke is a significant cause of death, illness and discomfort. In the short-term, non-smoking adults exposed to second-hand smoke suffer from irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, headaches and coughs.

In the longer term, a number of comprehensive reviews have confirmed that exposure to second-hand smoke increases a non-smoker's risk of lung cancer, heart disease and respiratory illnesses, including bronchitis and emphysema.

Babies and children are particularly sensitive to the effects of second-hand smoke. Infants exposed to second-hand smoke have a greater risk of 'cot death' or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and children are more likely to suffer from sore and/or watery eyes, sneezing, coughing and wheezing. Exposure to second-hand smoke has also been proven to cause bronchitis and pneumonia, and middle ear infection (or 'glue ear') in children, as well as being a risk factor for the development and worsening of asthma. Women exposed to second-hand smoke during pregnancy face an increased risk of having a low birth-weight baby.

For more information about how smoking can affect babies click here.

There are laws designed to protect people from second-hand smoke exposure in enclosed public places, including the workplace. For more information on the legislation, see 'Smoking and the Law'.

There are many ways that you can reduce your exposure to second-hand smoke. You can:

• Make your home and car smoke-free;
• Work with your employer to implement a smoke-free policy in your workplace;
• Choose smoke-free entertainment venues;
• Be aware of the laws relating to second-hand smoke exposure and assist in ensuring that proprietors of public places comply with the regulations;
• Ask proprietors of licensed public venues for non-smoking areas (and if existing non-smoking facilities are inadequate, notify management); and
• Help your loved ones to quit.

As a smoker, the best thing you can do for both yourself and those around you is to quit.

In the meantime, while you are trying to quit you can smoke outside when you are at home; and smoke away from others, especially children.

» Reasons for quitting