1. How Smoking Affects Your Looks & Life Slideshow
2. Tips to Quit Smoking Slideshow
3. Take the Quiz on Smoking

Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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In this Article

• What is secondhand smoke?
• What causes secondhand smoke?
• What are the health risks of secondhand smoke?
• Lung cancer and secondhand smoke
• Cardiovascular disease and secondhand smoke
• Other lung diseases and secondhand smoke
• Secondhand smoke and other effects on children
• Secondhand smoke and the effects on pregnant women
• Secondhand smoke and the possible link to breast cancer
• Is there a safe level of secondhand smoke?
• What is thirdhand smoke?
• What can be done about secondhand smoke exposure?
• Secondhand Smoke At A Glance
• Find a local Family Physician in your town
• Secondhand Smoke Index

Thirdhand smoke exposure is a new concept; it is exposure to many of the toxic agents in smoke that have accumulated (as residue) in clothing, drapes, rugs, furniture, dust, and other items due to secondhand smoke. The toxic agents, deposited in and on items from secondhand smoke, can be absorbed through the skin and mucous membranes of non-smokers, especially by infants and young children. Prevention of secondhand smoke exposure can prevent thirdhand smoke exposure.

• Secondhand smoke refers to tobacco smoke that is passively breathed in by people in the vicinity of a person who is smoking.
  
  
• Secondhand smoke causes significant health problems, including cancer.
  
  
• Children are particularly vulnerable to secondhand smoke, experiencing an increase in lung infections, bronchitis, worsening of asthma, and increased risk for SIDS.
  
  
• Legislation to prevent smoking in workplaces and public buildings is on the rise as the public becomes more informed about the risks of secondhand smoke.

American Cancer Society. "Secondhand Smoke."
<http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_10_2X_Secondhand_Smoke-Clean_Indoor_Air.asp>

American Lung Association. "Smoking restrictions in U.S. States."
< http://slati.lungusa.org>

National Cancer Institute. "Secondhand Smoke."
< http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Tobacco/ETS>

Sleiman, M., Gundel, L., Pankow, J., et al. "Formation of carcinogens indoors by surface-mediated reactions of nicotine with nitrous acid, leading to potential thirdhand smoke hazards." PNAS; doi:10.1073/pnas.0912820107