Everyone knows that smoking is a bad idea. But being around someone who smokes is also bad for your health.
Secondhand smoke is the smoke that smokers breathe out and the smoke floating from the end of the cigarette, cigar, or pipe.
Secondhand smoke contains thousands of chemicals that are toxic to the body. Breathing in secondhand smoke makes you more likely to have:
Chances are, you know someone who smokes. Whether you smoke or you're regularly around someone who does, it's never healthy to breathe in tobacco smoke. Even occasional or short-term exposure can take a toll on the body.
Ask the smokers you know to take these two steps:
Just as a person who smokes chooses to light up, nonsmokers have a choice too. You can walk away from other people's smoke at home, school, work, restaurants, even friends' and family members' houses.
If you smoke, try to quit. Quitting isn't easy because smoking is very addictive. But plenty of programs and people can help you kick the habit. And consider the benefits: You'll look, feel, and smell better, and have more money saved to go out and show off the newer, healthier you!
Reviewed by: Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD
Date Reviewed: Sep 16, 2019