Passive smoking

A large body of scientific research shows that second-hand tobacco smoke leads to the development of many diseases, including cardiovascular diseases , lung cancer, and respiratory system diseases . ^{[2] [3] [4]}

The result of secondhand smoke:

• Cancer :
  • Passive smoking increases the risk of cancer ^[6] . A review of the evidence gathered by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in a worldwide research database in 2004 showed that “involuntary smoking (exposure to second-hand smoke) is carcinogenic to humans.” ^[4]
  • Lung cancer : The effects of secondhand smoke on lung cancer are well established. A number of studies in the United States, ^{[7] [8] [9] [10]} Great Britain, ^{[11] [12]} Australia ^[13] and other countries ^[14] have clearly shown a significant increase in the incidence of passive smokers. ^[15]
  • Breast Cancer : The California Environmental Protection Agency in 2005 concluded that second-hand smoke increased the risk of developing breast cancer among young women who did not reach menopause by 70%. ^[3] The US chief surgeon concluded that this study “provides food for thought,” but does not show unambiguously the presence of a causal relationship. ^[2] International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2004 However, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, on the contrary, concluded that there was sufficient evidence of a causal relationship between secondhand smoke and breast cancer among women who never smoked. " ^[4]
  • Renal cell carcinoma : A recent study showed an increased risk of developing renal cell carcinoma among never-smokers exposed to the combined effects of second-hand smoke at home and at work. ^[sixteen]
  • There is insufficient evidence that passive smoking and pancreatic cancer are related. ^[17]
  • Brain cancer : The risk of developing brain cancer in children increases significantly as a result of exposure to tobacco smoke, even if the mother of the child does not smoke. ^[18]
• Diseases of the ear, throat and nose : the risk of inflammation of the middle ear increases. ^[nineteen]
• Circulatory system: increased risk of cardiovascular disease, ^[20] decreased heart rate variability, increased heart rate. ^[21]
  • Epidemiological studies have shown that both active and passive smoking increase the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis . ^[22]
• Respiratory system diseases :
  • Asthma ^[23]
• Mental Disorders and Dementia : Exposure to second-hand smoke may increase the risk of impaired mental activity and dementia among people 50 years of age and older. ^[24]
• Effect on the fetus:
  • Low birth weight. ^{[3],. [25]}
  • The birth of premature babies , ^[3] (although a causal relationship between was described as presumptive in a 2006 report by the US Surgeon General ^[26] )
• Harm to the body:
  • Worsening symptoms of asthma, allergies, and other complications. ^[27]
• Harm to children: ^[28]
  • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome , SIDS. ^{[29] [30]} A 2006 report by the US Surgeon General said: “There is enough evidence to conclude a causal relationship between exposure to second-hand smoke and the sudden death of infants.” ^[31]
  • Asthma ^{[32] [33]}
  • Pulmonary infections. ^{[34] [35] [36] [37]}
  • A more severe course of bronchitis , and an increase in the likelihood of complications. ^[38]
  • Increased risk of contracting tuberculosis if the caretaker smokes. ^[39]
  • Allergies.
  • Crohn's disease . ^[40]
  • Learning difficulties, developmental delay, and neurobehavioral consequences. ^{[41] [42]} Animal studies suggest that neurobehavioral problems may be due to nicotine and carbon monoxide (II) . ^[37]
  • An increased risk of dental caries in children (as well as associated biomarkers in saliva) is associated with passive smoking. ^[43]
  • Increased risk of middle ear inflammation. ^[44]
• Increased risk of death. In the United States, second-hand smoke kills 53,000 non-smokers annually, making second-hand smoke the third most important preventable factor in mortality among adults ^{[45] [46]} and children. ^[47]
  • Passive smoker receives 20% of the harmful substances from what an active smoker receives

In 2004, a study by the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer concluded that non-smokers who are passive smokers are exposed to the same carcinogens as active smokers. Sidestream smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals , including 69 proven carcinogens. Particularly dangerous are the well-known strong carcinogens such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons , tobacco-specific N- nitrosamines and aromatic polyesters such as 4- aminobiphenyl . Although the smoke inhaled during smoking, the sidestream smoke and the smoke inhaled during second-hand smoke generally contain the same components, the concentration of these substances in different types of tobacco smoke varies. ^[4] Studies by the tobacco companies themselves have shown that several known carcinogens are present in the sidestream smoke at higher concentrations than smoke inhaled by smoking. ^[48]

• US Dept. of Health and Human Services; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Coordinating Center for Health Promotion; National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; Office on Smoking and Health. The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General ( journal ) : journal. - Atlanta, Ga.: Surgeon General of the United States , 2006. - June 27.