Second hand smoke
Passive smoking - inhaling air that contains the products of tobacco smoking. The air contains harmful components of a mixture of smoke from tobacco products (sidestream smoke) and exhaled smoke from a person who smokes (mainstream smoke). When a non-smoker inhales tobacco smoke, he receives the same chemical components and toxins as the smoker. In this case, the person should be in the immediate vicinity of the smoker. Sidestream smoke is more toxic than mainstream smoke. An open window does not remove cigarette smoke from the room. Smoke from one cigarette can remain indoors for up to three hours. It adheres to furniture, carpets, walls, and clothing. According to the WHO, about six hundred thousand people die from secondhand smoke every year.
The effect of secondhand smoke on the human body
The harm from secondhand smoke is explained by the fact that tobacco smoke contains about four thousand harmful substances (including about fifty carcinogens), including formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, vinyl chloride, benzene, cadmium and nicotine. The effects of secondhand smoke on the body can be both short-term and long-term. With a single exposure, all harmful components of smoke are quickly removed from the body and neutralized. Long-term exposure to smoke can cause coughing, shortness of breath, chest congestion, headache, wheezing, and sore throat. Tobacco smoke can also cause dizziness, weakness, and eye irritation. Regular inhalation of tobacco smoke doubles the risk of lung cancer and cardiovascular disease, and tuberculosis. Passive and active smoking significantly increases the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which can cause breathing problems. Inhalation of second-hand smoke very often leads to the development of gastritis. As a result of secondhand smoke, sometimes there is a tendency to diarrhea or constipation.
The harm of secondhand smoke is that it is an established factor in the development of lung cancer. Scientists have shown that non-smokers living with a smoker have a 20-30% increased risk of developing lung cancer (compared to people who do not live with a smoker). It is estimated that more than three and a half thousand deaths from lung cancer occurring in Russia are associated with secondhand smoke. Smoking increases the risk of a heart attack by interfering with the normal functioning of the blood, heart and vascular system. That is why, with existing cardiovascular diseases, even short-term exposure to tobacco smoke should be avoided so as not to suffer from its negative effects.
Why is secondhand smoke dangerous for children?
Children are very vulnerable to the effects of cigarette smoke. According to research, in Russia, fifty percent of children in the blood contain cotinine, a breakdown product of nicotine. The chemical components of smoke inhaled by a nursing mother pass into breast milk. Infants with secondhand smoke can also develop serious respiratory infections. Secondhand smoke in children can cause an asthma attack. Scientists believe that 50,000-200,000 lung infections (bronchitis, pneumonia) in children under one and a half years of age develop due to regular inhalation of cigarette smoke. A child of a passively or actively smoking mother is most often born with reduced lung function.
Harm of secondhand smoke during pregnancy
Passive smoking during pregnancy can cause a low birth weight, which further causes serious visual impairment. Inhalation of smoke during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of fetal death from an unknown cause. Under the influence of smoke in the fetus, the heart rate increases, the placental blood flow decreases, which can lead to miscarriage and premature birth. Children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy or inhaled smoke during secondhand smoke, in the future, most often suffer from lack of attention, obesity and hyperactivity. Scientists have found that in newborns exposed to nicotine in utero, sensory and physiological responses, motor skills and attention are usually weakened in the first days of life. Regular inhalation of smoke increases the risk of early and late pregnancy toxicosis, which are difficult to treat. The risk of complications of conception, miscarriages and the course of pregnancy arises equally from both passive and active smoking. Scientists have conducted special studies in order to find out what the danger of secondhand smoke. Women who regularly breathe tobacco smoke have problems with conception in 26% of cases, and the risk of miscarriage increases by 39%. In total, 40-50% of women experience certain problems as a result of secondhand smoke during pregnancy.what is the danger of secondhand smoke. Women who regularly breathe tobacco smoke have problems with conception in 26% of cases, and the risk of miscarriage increases by 39%. In total, 40-50% of women experience certain problems as a result of secondhand smoke during pregnancy.than dangerous secondhand smoke. Women who regularly breathe tobacco smoke have problems with conception in 26% of cases, and the risk of miscarriage increases by 39%. In total, 40-50% of women experience certain problems as a result of secondhand smoke during pregnancy.
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