The risks of passive smoking

A passive smoker will inhale about a quarter of the smoke produced by the cigarette: 20 smoked cigarettes therefore imply that 5 cigarettes are « smoked » by the people living with the smoker. Exposure to health hazards is similar to that encountered by smokers, even if the risk is lesser

• Irritation of the eyes, the nose, coughing is also frequent in passive smokers;
• In France, according to the Academy of Medicine, passive smoking kills between 2,500 and 3,000 persons each year:
  • Cardio-vascular risks are increased by 35 % compared to a non-smoker;
  • The risk of lung cancer created by passive smoking is increased by about one quarter (it is intensified with the number of years subjected to passive smoking).

The cigarette, which is left burning on an ashtray is the most toxic since its smoke has not been filtered and therefore contains a greater quantity of carbon monoxide. The smoke exhaled is less toxic because having first been filtered by the smoker’s lungs.

Your children

From early childhood (and even before being born) straight to adulthood, a smoker’s child must endure long years of passive smoking. The risks of respiratory problems are increased by almost 60%. The child is more prone to asthma or ENT infections. It has been reported that sudden infant death syndrome is more frequent when parents are smokers.

Moreover, children of smokers would be twice more numerous to smoke as adults compared to children of non-smokers.

If you however do continue to smoke and have children, follow these simple rules:

• Do not smoke in front of them;
• Do not smoke in the same room;
• Ventilate rooms where you smoke;
• Do not smoke in the car.