How Secondhand Smoke Affects Children and Non-Smokers

When we think of respiratory problems like asthma, lung cancer, bronchitis, pneumonia, wheezing, etc., we think of a patient who is constantly exposed to air pollutants. Perhaps, we think of someone who reaches for a cigarette every now and then, or someone who can’t get through a day without a pack of cigarettes. We picture cigar smokers and tobacco users.

This image is informed by everything we have learned growing up: consuming harmful substances like tobacco can cause dire health consequences. However, there’s a stealthier substance at play here; this substance can affect smokers and non-smokers alike. It does not discriminate based on gender, age, or lifestyle.

We’re talking about secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke is released either through the smoker or through the burning of tobacco. It affects everyone, causing similar health issues as active smoking, even if you are a non-smoker. Moreover, secondhand smoke is especially dangerous for children and infants.

This blog explores how secondhand smoke affects children and non-smokers. We look at a detailed definition of secondhand smoke, its sources, health risks in children, and its effects on non-smokers. 

What is secondhand smoke?

Secondhand smoke can refer to smoke exhaled by a smoker and the smoke released when tobacco products are burned; this includes cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Smoking can seriously damage your lungs and cause various health issues. Studies suggest that secondhand smoke is just as bad, and it can be detrimental to even the healthiest person. Over 7,000 cases of lung cancer and over 33,000 cases of heart disease are linked to secondhand smoke each year.

Secondhand smoke contains hundreds of chemicals that are toxic to human health, especially for children. A good majority of these chemicals are known to cause conditions like cancer. Children are more susceptible to the effects of these chemicals because of their developing and immature immune system. Children also have less control over their environment, which means they could be exposed to secondhand smoke anywhere. Many children who suffer the effects of secondhand smoke experience it at home. Having at least one active smoker in your house can drastically affect the health and lives of the other family members.

Secondhand smoke also lingers in the air long after a person has stopped smoking. During this time, a child could inhale the smoke, causing damage to their lungs. Smoke from cigarettes or cigars can also latch on to fabric of any kind. If you have a smoker in the house, your carpets, your couch cushions, your curtains, the pillows, bedding, and more can hold on to the smoke and smell from a cigarette or cigar. 

How harmful is secondhand smoke?

Secondhand smoke can be extremely harmful, particularly for young children. Their bodies are not equipped to fight off the chemicals in secondhand cigarette or cigar smoke. The smoke that is released from burning tobacco might be more harmful as it is unfiltered smoke. Studies have found that there are over 7,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke. About 70 of them are carcinogens. At least 250 of these chemicals are harmful for your health.

Here are some of the chemicals in tobacco smoke:

• Ammonia: Ammonia is a common chemical, typically found in household cleaning products. Ammonia is a harmful chemical, especially at high concentrations. Inhaling ammonia can cause irritation of the nose, throat, and respiratory tract.
• Benzene: Benzene is carcinogenic. Non-smokers and smokers alike are affected by this chemical. Smokers inhale about 10x more benzene in a day than non-smokers.
• Butane: Butane, although existing in smaller amounts than Benzene, is just as detrimental to your health.
• Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde is not directly present in tobacco. Rather, it is formed when tobacco is burned. The breakdown of the sugar and cellulose in tobacco forms Formaldehyde. It can be found in the smoke inhaled by the smoker and released into the environment.
• Toluene: Toluene is a harmful chemical found in inhaled smoke and secondhand smoke. While the exact amount of the chemical may vary, the Toluene in secondhand smoke is more dangerous than the toluene in mainstream smoke.

The chemicals mentioned above are some of the deadliest carcinogens. 

Health Risks of Secondhand Smoke in Children

Given their developing immune systems, children and infants are at a higher risk of secondhand smoke-related health conditions. Children are most exposed to secondhand smoke when there is a smoker in the house. Health conditions caused by secondhand smoke may also appear early and progress quickly in children and infants. 

Children may experience the following health issues from secondhand smoke:

• Wheezing: Children’s lungs are more susceptible to respiratory problems. Secondhand smoke can cause wheezing or shortness of breath. There may be potential chest pain when inhaling. Children may also experience frequent coughing and sneezing. Children are also at a higher risk of developing severe asthma.
• Infections: Secondhand smoke can damage a child’s developing immune system, making infections a common occurrence. Children exposed to secondhand smoke can develop frequent ear infections.
• Secondhand smoke can increase the risk of experiencing severe respiratory problems like bronchitis and pneumonia.
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is one of the most common health risks of secondhand smoke.
• Children and infants may also be at a higher risk of developing brain tumors and lung cancer through secondhand smoke.

Secondhand smoke can be extremely detrimental to your child’s health. If you or another family member is a smoker, you should quit immediately. Not only would that make a difference in your health, it would also drastically improve your child’s chances of survival.

Secondhand Smoke and Pregnant Women

Smoking before, during, or after pregnancy can be harmful to the mother and the baby. Moreover, secondhand smoke is known to be just as bad as active smoking. This means that even if the other parent or a family member smokes around the pregnant person, it can seriously impact the pregnancy.

Secondhand smoke can cause preterm labour, premature birth, low birth weight, and other pregnancy complications. Secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy can also significantly increase the risk of infant health conditions like SIDS.

Secondhand smoke does not just affect the pregnant person; it also affects the baby.

Impact of Secondhand Smoke on Non-Smoking Adults

Secondhand smoke has dire impacts on smokers and non-smokers alike. However, non-smokers are most affected, especially if they live an otherwise healthy lifestyle. Secondhand smoke can impact non-smoking adults through the following health conditions:

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Cancer
• Asthma
• Pneumonia
• Wheezing
• Persistent coughs
• Sneezing
• Shortness of breath
• Lung cancer
• Throat cancer, etc.

Is secondhand smoke worse than smoking?

Active smoking is definitely worse for your health. However, secondhand smoke works in ways that are more dangerous and unnoticed. When you smoke, you know what it does to your lungs and the rest of your body. You may even know the exact toxic carcinogens in tobacco. There are several PSAs warning smokers of the side effects of smoking.

However, there are few PSAs about secondhand smoke. So, awareness of secondhand smoke is also limited. Additionally, secondhand smoke affects non-smokers and smokers alike. Anybody can inhale secondhand smoke and become ill. While smoking is an active danger to the smoker, secondhand smoke seems to work more stealthily. Oftentimes, the affected person may not realize that their health issues are due to secondhand smoke. 

Can you get cancer from secondhand smoke?

Secondhand smoke can cause cancer in non-smoking adults and children. 

Secondhand smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, impacting us in ways similar to a cigarette or cigar.

Secondhand smoke causes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

SIDS refers to unexplained infant deaths. Infants exposed to secondhand smoke are at a higher risk of dying from SIDS. Secondhand smoke can affect the brain’s breathing regulation. This means that the part of the infant’s brain that controls breathing becomes damaged and causes breathing problems, leading to death. Secondhand smoke also contains toxins, which can severely impact body function in an infant. Infants who die from SIDS have more toxic chemicals in their bodies than infants who have died due to other causes.

When should I see a healthcare provider?

If you or your child is someone who is exposed to secondhand smoke regularly, you should schedule an appointment with a Doctor. If you are exposed to secondhand smoke on a regular basis, it can cause health conditions similar to those caused by mainstream smoking. It is crucial that you see a healthcare provider in this case, especially if you are pregnant or have children.

A professional doctor can draft a treatment plan for you, which includes ridding your environment of secondhand smoke sources. This means that any smoker in your home has to quit smoking. Your doctor may prescribe further preventative measures, especially if you are pregnant or have children.

Conclusion

Secondhand smoke is not as direct as active smoking when it comes to health consequences. It almost sneaks up on you. It is crucial that you avoid smoking, not only to protect yourself, but also to protect your loved ones. Consult a healthcare professional if you are noticing symptoms of secondhand smoke exposure. Children, in particular, are more vulnerable to the effects of secondhand smoke. Remember, secondhand smoke affects everybody, regardless of gender, age, or lifestyle. Preventing your or your child’s exposure is the best way to guarantee you remain healthy.