Secondhand Smoke
Secondhand Smoke
Then and Now
For years, people just put up with
secondhand smoke. Today, people are
concerned about the health problems
it causes. And the concern is real. About
53,000 non-smokers in the U.S. die each
year from contact with secondhand smoke.
Then and Now
For years, people just put up with
secondhand smoke. Today, people are
concerned about the health problems
it causes. And the concern is real. About
53,000 non-smokers in the U.S. die each
year from contact with secondhand smoke.
Harmful Chemicals
Secondhand smoke is a mix of smoke from
the burning end of a cigarette, cigar, or
pipe, and the smoke exhaled by a smoker.
It has over 4,000 chemicals, including 69
proven to cause cancer. The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency classes
secondhand smoke with some of the most
deadly cancer causing products known—
as dangerous as radon, benzene, and
asbestos.
Health Risks
Secondhand smoke can cause heart
disease, lung disease, and several kinds of
cancer in non-smokers. It harms pets too.
Even a little is dangerous. The U.S. Surgeon
General states that there is no safe level of
exposure to secondhand smoke.
Babies who breathe secondhand smoke
have a higher risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant
Death Syndrome, or Crib Death). Children
who breathe it are more likely than other
kids to get ear infections, sore throats,
colds, and lung problems like asthma,
wheezing, and coughs.
QE11-2/08
QE11-10/08
Secondhand smoke slows healing. People
who breathe it usually stay sick longer.
Children are more likely to wind up in
the hospital with pneumonia, bronchitis,
and severe asthma attacks.
Limit the Risk
Over 90% of Americans are against smoking
in public places. Many are trying to keep
their homes and cars smoke-free. In
California, as of January 1, 2008, it is against
the law to smoke in a car if any passenger
is under 18 years old.
For your children: Insist that babysitters,
grandparents, or other caregivers not
smoke around them. It’s OK to be firm.
For your home and car: If you smoke,
stop. You can get free help in California
at 1-800-NO-BUTTS, and nationwide at
1-800-QUIT-NOW. If you live with smokers,
ask them not to smoke in the home or car.
Going to another room, or opening
windows, is not enough. Ask guests not
to smoke in your home or car. Get rid of
ashtrays. You have a right to be safe from
secondhand smoke.
© 2008
The Regents
the University
of California.
rightsThis
reserved.
This
was made
possible
by funds
received
©2005
The Regents
of the of
University
of California.
All rights All
reserved.
material
wasmaterial
made possible
by funds
received
from the
Tobacco
the California Department
Health,
under contract
#05-45834.
Tax Health Protection Act from
of 1988—Proposition
99, through of
thePublic
California
Department
of Health
Services, under contract #05-45834.
Harmful Chemicals
Secondhand smoke is a mix of smoke from
the burning end of a cigarette, cigar, or
pipe, and the smoke exhaled by a smoker.
It has over 4,000 chemicals, including 69
proven to cause cancer. The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency classes
secondhand smoke with some of the most
deadly cancer causing products known—
as dangerous as radon, benzene, and
asbestos.
Health Risks
Secondhand smoke can cause heart
disease, lung disease, and several kinds of
cancer in non-smokers. It harms pets too.
Even a little is dangerous. The U.S. Surgeon
General states that there is no safe level of
exposure to secondhand smoke.
Babies who breathe secondhand smoke
have a higher risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant
Death Syndrome, or Crib Death). Children
who breathe it are more likely than other
kids to get ear infections, sore throats,
colds, and lung problems like asthma,
wheezing, and coughs.
QE11-10/08
Secondhand smoke slows healing. People
who breathe it usually stay sick longer.
Children are more likely to wind up in
the hospital with pneumonia, bronchitis,
and severe asthma attacks.
Limit the Risk
Over 90% of Americans are against smoking
in public places. Many are trying to keep
their homes and cars smoke-free. In
California, as of January 1, 2008, it is against
the law to smoke in a car if any passenger
is under 18 years old.
For your children: Insist that babysitters,
grandparents, or other caregivers not
smoke around them. It’s OK to be firm.
For your home and car: If you smoke,
stop. You can get free help in California
at 1-800-NO-BUTTS, and nationwide at
1-800-QUIT-NOW. If you live with smokers,
ask them not to smoke in the home or car.
Going to another room, or opening
windows, is not enough. Ask guests not
to smoke in your home or car. Get rid of
ashtrays. You have a right to be safe from
secondhand smoke.
© 2008 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved. This material was made possible by funds received
from the California Department of Public Health, under contract #05-45834.