Effects of Secondhand Smoke
When you Smoke You Aren't Harming Only You
You Smoke I Smoke
Secondhand smoke comes from both the smoke that smokers exhale (called main-stream smoke) and the smoke floating from the end of the cigarette, cigar, or pipe (called side-stream smoke). It may seem harmless but Secondhand smoke actually contains thousands of chemicals ranging from ammonia and arsenic to hydrogen cyanide. Many of these chemicals are proven to be toxic or even carcinogenic (cause cancer). Secondhand smoke increases your risk for:
-Respiritory infections (Bronchitis and Pneumonia)
-Cancer
-Heart Disease
-Asthma
-Coughing, Sore Throats, Sniffling, and Sneezing
Tobacco Smoke is NOT a Joke
Tobacco smoke (Side-stream or main-stream) is a mixture of gases and particles containing more than 7,000 chemical compounds. More than 250 of these chemicals are known to be harmful and 60-70 are proven to cause cancer. Tobacco smoke also contains tar and the poison gases carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide. The ingredient that produces the effect people are looking for is nicotine, an addictive drug and one of the harshest chemicals in tobacco smoke. Smoking causes almost 90% of deaths from lung cancer, around 80% of deaths from COPD, and around 17% of deaths from heart disease.
Smoking While Pregnant
Smoking while pregnant can cause the brain and nervous system of the fetus to develop abnormally. Studies show that 12-20 percent of pregnant women smoke putting themselves and their babies at risk, and over 1,000 babies in the U.S. die each year because their moms smoked while pregnant.