How to Prevent Exposure to Secondhand Smoke

Secondhand smoke is smoke that comes from burning tobacco. It includes smoke from cigarettes, pipes, or cigars. Being exposed to secondhand smoke is as dangerous as smoking.

Common places you may be exposed to secondhand smoke include:

• Work.
• Public places, like restaurants, shopping centers, and parks.
• Home, especially if you live in an apartment building.

How can secondhand smoke affect me?

There is no safe level of secondhand smoke. Smoke from cigarettes contains thousands of chemicals, including chemicals that are known to cause cancer. Secondhand smoke can cause many health problems, such as:

• Cancer.
• Heart disease.
• Stroke.
• Pregnancy problems, such as pregnancy loss (miscarriage), low birth weight, and early birth (premature).

What actions can I take to prevent exposure to secondhand smoke?

• Do not smoke.
• Keep your home smoke-free.
• Do not allow smoking in your car.
• Avoid public places where smoking is allowed.
• Talk to your employer about your company’s policies on smoking.
  • Your workplace should have a policy separating smoking areas from nonsmoking areas.
  • Smoking areas should have a system for ventilating and cleaning the air.

Where to find more information

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/  

American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org  

American Heart Association: https://www.heart.org  

Summary

• Secondhand smoke is smoke that comes from burning tobacco. Secondhand smoke exposes you to the dangers of smoking, even if you are not the one smoking.
• There is no safe level of secondhand smoke. Several chemicals in secondhand smoke are known to cause cancer. Secondhand smoke can also cause many other health problems.
• To prevent exposure to secondhand smoke, do not smoke, discourage others from smoking, keep your home and car smoke-free, and avoid places where smoking is allowed.