80% of the smoke from cigarettes goes into the air where it can be breathed in by others. This is second-hand smoke. Smoke particles indoors settle on hard and soft surfaces, like carpets, rugs, bedding, children’s toys and TV remotes. They are gradually emitted from these surfaces over time – this is third-hand smoke.
Breathing in other people’s smoke poses serious health risks to non-smokers, particularly children and pregnant women. Exposure can lead to:
- Increased risk for the same conditions as those associated with smoking, such as cancer, heart disease and respiratory illnesses
- For children, development of asthma, ear problems and allergies. Children are smaller than adults with smaller airways, and they breathe faster, so second-hand smoke has a greater impact on them.
- For pregnant women – being exposed to second-hand smoke can increase the risk of premature birth and low birthweight babies. Low birthweight can lead to increased risk of other conditions. Babies are also at increased risk of cot death in homes where people smoke.
There isn’t any safe level of exposure to second or third-hand smoke.
The good news is - you can help protect others. The best way is to give up smoking completely – more info about how to do that on our how to quit page. But at the very least – you can refrain from smoking indoors or near other people who do not smoke.
