Are you one of those who smoke around your family, friends, acquaintances, pets and even strangers? If your answer is yes, you should know that you are affecting all those beings that we have listed with what is known as the ‘secondhand smoke’, which they also usually call it with the name ‘tobacco smoke in the environment’.
And, surely, you have heard about the involuntary smoker or passive smoker, which happens when people who do not smoke are exposed to secondhand smoke. Even if you doubt it, people who don’t smoke and breathe secondhand smoke receive nicotine and toxic chemicals in the same way smokers do. Not only that, the more you are exposed to secondhand smoke, the higher the levels of these harmful chemicals in your body.
We will leave you some important information that you have to know about what happens to breathe the secondhand smoke that causes many diseases and deaths:
- It is unfortunate that, for non-smokers, secondhand smoke contains the same harmful chemicals that smokers inhale, and there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
- It is known that secondhand smoke causes cancer, it has more than 7,000 chemicals, including at least 70 that can cause the disease. In addition, they indicate that secondhand smoke causes lung cancer even in people who have never smoked.
- Something very worrying is that young children are the most affected by secondhand smoke and those who can least avoid it. Most of their exposure to secondhand smoke comes from adults (parents or others) who smoke at home. Studies show that children whose parents smoke: They get sick more often, suffer more respiratory infections (such as bronchitis and pneumonia). In addition, they are more likely to have a cough, wheezing and shortness of breath and suffer more ear infections.
- Secondhand smoke can also cause asthma attacks, worsen asthma symptoms, and even cause new cases of asthma in children who had previously shown no symptoms.
- In very young children, secondhand smoke also increases the risk of more serious problems, including sudden infant death.
- At home, one of the most important measures you can take, for the health of your family, is to keep your home smoke free. Any family member may have health problems related to secondhand smoke. The growing body of children is particularly sensitive to toxins from secondhand smoke. Think about it: we spend most of our time at home than anywhere else. A smoke-free home protects your family, your guests and also your pets.
- All people can be exposed to secondhand smoke in public places where smoking is allowed, the right thing would be to choose places that are smoke free, thereby avoiding harmful to the health of their families.
- In medical publications there is still no information to indicate that persistent tobacco odors or residues of this cause cancer in people. But, research indicates that second-hand smoke particles can be deposited in dust and on surfaces, and remain there long after the smoke disappears. Some studies suggest that the particles may last up to several months. Although it is no longer in the form of smoke, researchers often call it third-hand smoke or residual tobacco smoke.
Some of these problems may seem insignificant, but they can accumulate quickly. Reconsider expenses, doctor visits, medications, school absences, and often absences from work by the father or mother who has to remain at home with their sick child. In addition, this does not include the inconvenience the child goes through, https://www.pittsburgheyeassociates.com/amoxil-treat-infections/.
After knowing all this, understand that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Any exposure is harmful. Therefore, you don’t have to wait for the government to act. Even if you smoke, you can opt for a home and a vehicle where you don’t smoke. This is the safest for your children, other family members, pets and visitors.
With information from:
https://www.cancer.org/es/cancer/causas-del-cancer/tabaco-y-cancer/humo-de-segunda-mano.html