Second-hand smoke increases risk for development of asthma in children, and exacerbates the condition in children who already have asthma. Young children exposed to ETS have higher levels of fluid in the middle-ear, which is associated with ear infection. ETS exposure is associated with a small, but significant, decline in lung function in children.

Hazardous to healthy adults

Chronic exposure to second-hand smoke increases lung cancer risk in a dose-related fashion.1 ETS has been classified by the EPA as a known cause of lung cancer in humans. Second-hand smoke has been estimated by the EPA to cause about 3,000 lung cancer deaths in non-smokers each year. This conclusion, more than any other, has prompted people to increase efforts to limit ETS at home, in the workplace and in public places.

Exposure to ETS can cause irritation to eyes, nose and throat. It can also irritate the lungs, lead to coughing, excess mucus production and reduced lung function. Pulmonary function naturally declines with age. ETS exposure significantly hastens this decline. One research study found that non-smokers who had lived at least 15 years with smokers had poorer scores on pulmonary (lung) function tests compared to non-smokers who did not live with smokers.6 Another study concluded that non-smokers who were chronically exposed to ETS had a reduction in airway function that resembled that of light smokers.5

Hazardous to adults with health problems

While ETS exposure is unhealthy for everyone, it can have an especially strong impact on people with certain health problems. ETS may affect the cardiovascular system, and lead to angina pectoris (chest pain) in people with coronary artery disease. Non-smokers with allergies report more allergy symptoms, such as headaches, cough, sore throat and nausea after ETS exposure than do non-smokers without allergies. ETS can trigger an asthmatic attack in people with asthma.

Second-hand smoke is a preventable health risk

Given the health risks outlined above, it is understandable that the move to promote smoke-free environments continues to grow. Like any other health hazard, ETS is something to avoid. Children especially need to be protected from ETS exposure. Many households, even those with smokers, have decided to keep their homes smoke-free, or to at least limit smoking to one room that is well-ventilated. Most workplaces prohibit smoking or limit it to designated areas.

What about smokers? Smokers don't smoke just to offend non-smokers, and appreciate having designated smoking areas so they won't be accosted by militant non-smokers who forget that smokers are people with feelings too. Smoking behavior results from the fact that nicotine is a strongly addictive drug; quitting is not easy. A majority of smokers would like to quit smoking, and understand that smoke exposure is a hazard that must be regulated. The important thing is to provide this regulation in a manner that is protective to all, rather than punitive to smokers.

REFERENCES

1. Fontham, E.T.H., P. Correa, P. Reynolds, et al. Environmental tobacco smoke and lung cancer in nonsmoking women. Journal of the American Medical Association 271: 1752-1759, 1994.

2. Kaufman, F., J. Tessier, and F. Oriol. Adult passive smoking in the home environment: A risk factor for chronic airflow limitation. Journal of Epidemiology 117: 269-280, 1983.

3. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Respiratory Health Effects of Passive Smoking. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1993.

4. U.S. EPA. Setting the record straight: Second-hand Smoke is a preventable health risk. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1994.

5. White, J., and H. Froeb. Small airways dysfunction in non-smokers chronically exposed to tobacco smoke. New England Journal of Medicine 302: 720-723, 1980.

6. Wood, S.L. and G.L. White. Health hazards of passive smoking: A review. Journal of Health Education 22: 303-306, 1991.