What secondhand smoke is and the risks to those around you.
Secondhand smoke exposure (also called passive smoking) is when:
- a person breathes in smoke that has been breathed out by someone smoking
- someone breathes in smoke from the tip of a burning cigarette
Over 80% of secondhand smoke is invisible so you won't be able to see how much secondhand smoke is in the room with you and your loved ones.
Secondhand smoke exposure can be common for people who live in a house with a smoker. It's likely to be worse for those that live in flats or residences with no garden or outdoor space.
There are many effects of inhaling secondhand smoke.
The short short term effects can be:
- eye, nose and throat irritation or soreness
- dizziness
- feeling sick
The potential long term effects are more severe. Children and adults exposed to secondhand smoke may develop:
- asthma
- heart disease
- cancer, such as lung and breast cancer
- stroke
- dementia
The risk to children is greater than adults as children have less developed lungs and airways, making them more vulnerable.
Your pets are also being exposed to secondhand smoke and can develop many of the same illnesses as humans exposed to smoke.