Passive smoke, or tobacco smoke inhaled by non-smokers, is a serious public health threat. Among the many harmful health effects associated with secondhand smoke, cancer risk is one of the most alarming. This article discusses the links between secondhand smoke and cancer.

   What is secondhand smoke?

  Passive smoke, also known as ambient smoke or second-hand smoke, consists of smoke exhaled by the smoker and smoke from the burning end of the cigarette. It contains more than 7,000 different chemicals, including at least 70 linked to cancer.

   Secondhand smoke and cancer

  Inhaling secondhand smoke is linked to the risk of various types of cancer, including lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, throat cancer, oral cancer and esophageal cancer. Secondhand smoke also has an impact on the development of breast cancer and cervical cancer. In children, exposure to secondhand smoke can increase the risk of leukemia and brain tumors.

   Secondhand smoke and lung cancer

  One of the most documented links between secondhand smoke and cancer concerns lung cancer. Passive smoke is considered a cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. It is estimated that secondhand smoke is responsible for about 3,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the United States alone.

   How to reduce the risk?

  Here's how you can reduce your risk of exposure to secondhand smoke:

   1. Creating a smoke-free home: Setting rules about not smoking in the home and car can significantly reduce the risk of exposure to secondhand smoke.

   2. Avoiding places where cigarettes are smoked: Avoiding public places where cigarettes are smoked can help reduce exposure to secondhand smoke.

   3. Encourage people to quit smoking: If someone in your neighborhood smokes, encouraging them to quit can benefit both their health and the health of those around them.

   Summary

  Secondhand smoke poses serious health risks, including the risk of various types of cancer. Although non-smokers have no direct control over their exposure to secondhand smoke, there are steps they can take to minimize this risk. Creating smoke-free spaces, avoiding places where cigarettes are smoked and promoting non-smoking are key to protecting health from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.