| Secondhand smoke poses serious harm even to | | | | whose parents smoke may have twice the risk of |
| non-smokers. Secondhand or passive smoking | | | | developing getting asthma, asthmatic bronchitis, and |
| refers to the involuntary smoking or inhalation of | | | | allergies. Quiting smoking may improve the health of |
| tobacco smoke. Smoke from this process usually | | | | smokers and the people around them. Secondhand |
| contains a mixture of smoke given off by a tobacco | | | | smoke may also trigger asthma attacks, aggravate |
| product coupled with the smoke exhaled from the | | | | allergies, and weaken the immune system, making |
| lungs of smokers. Tobacco smoke may stay in the | | | | one vulnerable to colds and other respiratory ailments |
| air for hours after cigarettes have been consumed | | | | like bronchitis and pneumonia. |
| and it can be involuntarily inhaled by non-smokers. | | | | Secondhand smoke is harmful to everyone, but it is |
| Secondhand smoke may seem harmless, but it can | | | | especially hard on children. A study conducted by the |
| actually contain many toxic chemicals that are | | | | American Lung Association revealed that secondhand |
| carcinogenic or and other substances that can cause | | | | smoke is responsible for 150,000 to 300,000 cases of |
| cancer. | | | | pneumonia and bronchitis of children under 18 months |
| There are actually two kinds of secondhand smoke, | | | | of age yearly. About 15,000 of these infants need to |
| namely the side stream and mainstream smoke. The | | | | hospitalized. Because of the health effects of |
| former is the smoke that may drift in the air from a | | | | secondhand smoke, smokers are advised to refrain |
| burning tobacco product. The latter, on the other | | | | from smoking near other people especially children |
| hand, is the smoke that a smoker exhales. | | | | and pregnant women. Cigarette particles may stick to |
| Regardless of its term, these types of second hand | | | | clothing, smokers should change clothes before |
| smoke contain 4,000 chemicals, 60 of which are | | | | holding or hugging children. |
| carcinogenic. Formaldehyde, arsenic, cadmium, | | | | Individuals who are having a hard time cutting the |
| benzene, and ethylene oxide are some of the | | | | habit may try using quit smoking products that are |
| substances that may cause cancer. These dangerous | | | | now available in the market. These products, |
| components may stay in the air for hours and may | | | | however, cannot do all the work. The best way to |
| harm one's health in many ways. | | | | quit smoking is to avoid being with smokers or being |
| Shown below are some of the chemicals emitted | | | | near establishments that sell tobacco products. no |
| during cigarette smoking: | | | | doubt, quitting the habit entails determination, |
| Ammonia - This chemical may irritate the lungs. | | | | discipline, and commitment. Using these products, |
| Carbon Monoxide - This chemical causes breathing | | | | however, can help a smoker cut the habit by making |
| difficulties by reducing oxygen levels in the blood. | | | | them more comfortable and complacent to adjust to |
| Methanol - This chemical is highly toxic when inhaled | | | | life without cigarettes. Many 'quit smoking products' |
| or swallowed. | | | | are available over the counter, it is best to seek the |
| Hydrogen Cyanide - This chemical interferes with | | | | approval of health professionals to clarify side effects |
| proper respiratory functions. | | | | and drug interactions that may be developed while |
| In addition to these negative effects, studies show | | | | under medication. With the right tools and attitude, |
| that babies born to mothers who smoked during | | | | quitting smoking and reducing the health effects of |
| pregnancy have heightened risks to be born | | | | secondhand smoke can be done with ease. |
| prematurely and with low birth weight. Children | | | | |