Smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke kill about 1.2 million Indians each year. Some of the health conditions caused by second-hand smoke in adults include coronary heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. Some research also suggests that second-hand smoke may increase the risk of breast cancer, nasal sinus cavity cancer, and nasopharyngeal cancer in adults and the risk of leukemia, lymphoma, and brain tumors in children.
Tobacco smoke has many harmful substances like benzopyrene, lead, carbon monoxide arsenic and formaldehyde. Second-hand smoke is the combination of smoke from the burning end of a cigarette and the smoke breathed out by smokers. It contains more than 7,000 chemicals. Hundreds are toxic and about 70 can cause cancer. This type of smoke has higher concentrations of cancer-causing agents and is more toxic than mainstream smoke as there is no filter it must pass through. It also has smaller particles than mainstream smoke.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified second-hand smoke as a known human carcinogen (a cancer-causing agent). In addition, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has concluded that second-hand smoke is an occupational carcinogen.
Where Do You Find It?
- If you live with a smoker, it’s easy to breathe in their second-hand smoke. It’s especially risky if they smoke in the house.
- 30.2% of adults are exposed to second-hand smoke in indoor workplaces, 7.4% are exposed in restaurants, and 13.3% are exposed in public transportation.
- If you live in a building with lots of units, you may even breathe it in through air ducts, crawl spaces, or elevator shafts.
- You can also take it in if you ride in a car with someone who’s smoking, even if the air conditioner is on or the windows are open.
How Does It Cause Cancer?
When you breathe it in, the smoke and its toxic chemicals go deep into your lungs and damage the lining. Smoke irritates your airways every time you breathe it in. And it starts working as soon as you inhale.
At first, your body may be able to repair the damage. But if you’re around second-hand s moke for a long time, your body may not be able to fix it any longer. Cells in your lung tissue start to act in an abnormal way, and then they form tumors, or cancer.
The longer you’re around it, the more likely you are to get cancer. It’s hard to say exactly how much. Many things, like the mix of chemicals you breathe in and how strong they are, play a role. But if you live with a smoker, your odds for lung cancer go up 20%-30%.
e-cigarettes are culprit too!
The use of electronic cigarettes results in exposure to second-hand aerosols (rather than second-hand smoke). Second-hand aerosols contain harmful and potentially harmful substances, including nicotine, heavy metals like lead, volatile organic compounds, and cancer-causing agents.
How can you protect yourself and your family from second-hand smoke?
The only way to fully protect non-smokers from second-hand smoke is to eliminate smoking in indoor workplaces and public places and by creating smoke free policies for personal spaces, including your house. Opening windows, using fans and ventilation systems, and restricting smoking to certain rooms in the home or to certain times of the day does not eliminate exposure to second-hand smoke. Steps you can take to protect yourself and your family include:
- Do not allow smoking in your home and in your car, even with the windows down
- Make sure the places where your children are cared for are tobacco free
- Seek out restaurants, bars, and other places that are smoke free
What about Third-hand Smoke?
- Third-hand smoke occurs when cancer-causing residue from tobacco smoke sticks to surfaces such as carpets and walls. Residue lingers for weeks-to-months and can re-enter the air.
- Clean or wash curtains, furniture fabric, rugs, walls, and counters often to protect yourself from third-hand smoke.
Apart, from second-hand smoke, also be vary of air pollution which is known to spike in our city after the festivals. Air pollution is another major factor that has resulted in increase of lung cancer cases among non-smokers. So, gear up, equip your homes with air-purifying plants, air purifiers. Do not go out in smog unnecessarily. Exercise regularly at your home. Take care of yourself and your loved ones. Stay safe, stay healthy.
Know the Writer:
Dr (Prof) Meenu Walia is a renowned Medical Oncologist (Cancer Specialist) with almost 30 years of medical experience. She is India’s first DNB, Medical Oncologist and has several laurels attached to her name such as the “Bharat Jyoti Award”, “Inspiring Healthcare Leaders—Dronacharya Award” and “Most Influential Women of 2021 award” to name a few. A keen cancer researcher, she is the Principal Investigator of several global clinical trials. Beyond medicine, she is deeply passionate about the welfare of cancer patients and is thus actively involved with several NGOs and awareness activities. She is a charismatic speaker having delivered an inspiring and popular talk on TEDx platform as well as authored a book for cancer patients and caregivers, “Tips for Happiness in The Shadow of Cancer”.
Dr (Prof) Meenu Walia being felicitated with “Most Influential Women of 2021” award by Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi, Spokesperson BJP, Member of Parliament and Supreme Court Lawyer