9. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
A set of disorders that prevent you from breathing is referred to as COPD. These awful illnesses can significantly lower your quality of life. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are two examples of diseases in this category.
COPD is caused by exposure to irritant chemicals, and in most cases, the irritant chemicals are a result of smoking. Since COPD cannot be reversed once symptoms appear, it is critical to take preventative measures.
Because people don’t limit their exposure to secondhand smoking, one of the most avoidable diseases is also one of the most prevalent.
10. Skin damage
Toxins included in tobacco can seriously harm your skin. Deep wrinkles and sagging skin are two examples. You ingest all the carcinogens if you are around secondhand smoke all the time. As a result, you have a higher chance of looking worse than the smoker.
11. Cancer
Over 7,000 compounds are present in secondhand smoking, which people breathe in. At least 70 of these substances, classified as carcinogens, are known to be carcinogenic to humans and are toxic in large quantities.
Despite the long-standing evidence linking smoking to cancer, people nevertheless endanger their own and others’ lives. It’s sad that non-smokers, even those who have never ever tried smoking, can develop lung cancer at a rate comparable to that of smokers.
Cancers connected to exposure to secondhand smoking include:
- breast cancer
- nasal sinus cavity cancer
- nasopharyngeal cancer
- leukemia in kids
- lymphoma in kids
- brain tumors in kids
12. Thirdhand smoke
The relationship between secondhand and thirdhand smoke is a little-known fact. The smoke that permeates everything nearby is referred to as thirdhand smoke. It can contaminate anything including furniture, clothing, hair, and more.
Toxic gases are still released by this lingering smoke. In essence, this means that a location may become so polluted that merely being there or working there may become unhealthy. Because they are exposed at their most critical period of development, this is especially harmful to youngsters.
13. Odors
Knowing if someone smokes is simple. Even if they smoke outside, you can still smell the cigarette smoke on them. Nonsmokers who are frequently around smokers can also smell it on them. It is almost impossible to conceal secondhand smoking.
The aroma tends to permeate everything, even clothing and hair. Both smokers and nonsmokers can smell it very strongly. This implies that children of smokers might potentially arrive at school smelling like cigarette smoke.
14. It might result in nicotine addiction
It makes plausible that someone who has been exposed to the chemicals in secondhand smoke could develop a nicotine addiction similar to that of a smoker.
The brain is impacted by secondhand smoke, according to research. It activates the same receptors that smoking activates, known as nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). These receptors can be activated by even brief exposure.
15. Death
Killer secondhand smoke. More than 34,000 Americans perish from heart disease each year as a result of secondhand smoke. At least 7,300 of these are caused by lung cancer, and at least 8,000 are due to strokes.
Is it any wonder that exposure to cigarette smoke kills given the issues mentioned above? The body has a limited capacity, and with time, all the issues might cause it to degrade.
How to Avoid Secondhand Smoke
It’s easy: Stay away from smokers and try to persuade those who are near you to give up. Smokers should be as far away from other individuals as possible, preferably outside.
The most crucial area to avoid smoking is definitely at home, especially if you have kids. Keeping children (and adults) away from smoking can reduce their risk of developing cancer, severe asthma, respiratory infections, and many other serious disorders.
