Secondhand Smoking - How Does it Affect Your Health?

Inhalation of smoke from cigarettes or tobaccoSmoking while pregnant is highly discouraged. This
products is called passive or secondhand smoking.increases the likelihood of a miscarriage and
If you chose not to smoke to live a healthy life,premature birth. And infants borne by smoking
you made the right choice. But you also have tomothers are usually low birth weight or small for
be aware that secondhand smoking is harmful.gestational age. These can lead to other problems
Yes, studies have proven that secondhand typelike jaundice and breathing difficulties.
of smoking can be just as harmful as activeSecondhand type of smoking has also been
smoking.proven to delay child development. Sudden infant
Smoking causes many types of cancer. This isdeath syndrome is also a result of secondhand
because tobacco products contain manysmoking. In the United States, 430 infants die
carcinogenic substances. And once burned, theevery year because of sudden infant death
smoke from tobacco products now contains thesyndrome caused by secondhand smoking.
carcinogenic substances. Secondhand smokingSecondhand type of smoking causes different
increases the risk of developing lung cancer by 20diseases in children. These can be any of the
to 30%. Around 3,400 nonsmokers die from lungfollowing: asthma, developmental delay, impaired
cancer caused by secondhand smoking.motor skills, ear diseases, lung diseases, bronchitis,
Constriction of blood vessels is also caused byallergies, learning problems, and neurobehavioral
substances in smoke from tobacco products. Thisdisorders.
results to diseases like heart disease,Smoking in such a way is estimated to kill 53,000
atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke, andnonsmokers per year! If you are a smoker,
peripheral vascular disease. Secondhand type ofconsider how much harm you are causing other
smoking increases the risk of developing heartpeople. Quit smoking now! If you are a
disease by 25 to 30%.nonsmoker, always see to it that you are not
Secondhand type of smoking can cause cognitiveexposed to cigarette smoke. Remember that
disease and dementia in adults who are 50 yearssecondhand type of smoking is just as harmful as
old and above.active smoking!