Facts about Second-Hand Smoke

Did you know?

• Second-hand smoke is the smoke that comes from the tip of a burning cigarette, cigar and pipe or when a smoker exhales ⁽⁵⁾

• Second-hand smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals including: ⁽³⁾

1. Formaldehyde – a chemical used to preserve dead animals,

2. Carbon monoxide – the deadly gas that comes out of your car’s tail pipe,

3. Arsenic – a chemical used to kill bugs and weeds,

4. Ammonia – a chemical used to clean dirty floors and toilets,

5. Cyanide – a gas used in warfare,

• 50 of the chemicals in second-hand smoke are known to cause cancer ⁽⁴⁾

• Doctors say second-hand smoke kills as many as 3,000 Canadians each year. ⁽²⁾

• Non-smoking food service workers are 50% more likely to develop lung cancer than other non-smokers.⁽⁷⁾

• Approximately 80 percent of a nonsmoker’s exposure to second-hand smoke happens at work.

How does second-hand smoke affect myself and others?

Exposure to second-hand smoke puts everyone at risk, particularly children who breathe more rapidly than adults.  When exposed to second-hand smoke people:

• may experience headaches; and eye, nose and throat irritation ⁽¹⁾

• are at greater risk of chronic respiratory illnesses, including asthma, pneumonia and bronchitis ⁽⁴⁾

• can experience more colds and chronic middle ear infections ⁽⁶⁾

• are more likely to have low birth weight babies ^{(9) (10)}

• may increase their chance of getting lung cancer by 30% ⁽²⁾

• can increase their risk of dying from a heart attack. ⁽²⁾

What can you do about second-hand smoke?

• Show your support for smoke-free public places and workplaces

• Do not allow yourself or others to smoke around pregnant women, infants and children

• Make your home and car smoke-free

• Avoid locations where smoking is permitted

If you want to reduce or quit smoking, information and support is available –    Smoker’s Helpline 1-877-513-5333.

 

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