Secondhand and Thirdhand Smoke

Secondhand Smoke

Secondhand smoke is the smoke exhaled by smokers and the smoke from the burning end of a lit tobacco product. It can contain 7,000 chemicals, 70 of which are known to cause cancer.

Who it Affects

Secondhand smoke is hazardous to everyone’s health and there is no safe level of exposure. Secondhand smoke exposure is the third leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States and responsible for approximately 49,000 deaths each year.

Exposure to secondhand smoke especially hurts children. Children who are continuously exposed to secondhand smoke may develop asthma or experience asthma symptoms, and are also at increased risk for ear infections, respiratory infections, and overall decreased lung function. Between 7,500 and 15,000 children are hospitalized each year due to infections caused by secondhand smoke. It has also been implicated in over 400 sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) deaths each year.

How You Are Exposed

Most exposure occurs in the home and workplace. In the United States, more than 126 million people who do not smoke are also exposed to secondhand smoke in vehicles and other public places. Hundreds of cities and counties have passed smoke-free air laws, and the numbers continue to grow.

Thirdhand Smoke

Thirdhand smoke is the residue of tobacco smoke that accumulates on surfaces, textiles, and people after smoking has occurred. It has cancer-causing toxins that remain on surfaces long after secondhand smoke clears. Thirdhand smoke attaches to almost all surfaces leaving a strong odor long after cigarette smoke has dissipated.

Who it Affects

Thirdhand smoke affects everyone and can expose them to the same toxins found in tobacco smoke. Thirdhand smoke can especially harm small children that may be in the care of an adult who smokes. Even when a parent or caregiver steps outside to smoke, the toxins attach to their clothes, so that when small children are held they can breathe in these toxins.

How You Are Exposed

Exposure to thirdhand smoke can occur anywhere a person has smoked. The toxins left behind can stay on unwashed surfaces for days, weeks, even months.

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself and Your Family

• Make your home and car smoke-free.
• Ask others not to smoke in your home or around your children.
• Ask others to go outside while they smoke.