## Defining secondhand smoke Secondhand smoke is when someone inhales the smoke from a lit cigarette or the air exhaled by a smoker. If it takes place in an enclosed space, there is no neutral distance between the smoker and other people nearby. Residual fumes from cigarettes can remain in a room for hours. Therefore, only a room that is 100 % smoke-free can be considered safe. If contact with the smoker happens in the open air, it is better to walk away until the smoker is finished smoking. If this is not possible, try to position yourself so that the wind carries the smoke away from you. ## Statistics For every 8 smokers who die from diseases related to smoking, there is 1 death due to secondhand smoke. Non-smokers who live with smokers increase their risk of cardiovascular disease by 25–30 % and risk of lung cancer ===by 20–30 %. Secondhand smoke can lead to ailments such as: - [Cancer](https://ul.orna.me/KOge/librarydisease?id=130) - Heart attack - Coronary heart disease - Pneumonia - [Asthma](https://ul.orna.me/KOge/librarydisease?id=177) - [Diabetes](https://ul.orna.me/KOge/librarydisease?id=43) ## Health issues Cigarettes of any kind contain nicotine and other harmful carcinogenic substances. Hookah and e-cigarettes also contain these substances that negatively affect internal organs when inhaled. All secondhand smoke increases the possibility of risk group diseases or worsens already existent diseases. Secondhand smoke is especially dangerous for pregnant women, children, teenagers, and people with lung diseases (asthma, chronic bronchitis). For pregnant women, breathing secondhand smoke can cause delayed growth and development of the fetus, leading to premature birth. ## Conclusion Those who want to protect themselves completely from the consequences of secondhand smoke should remember that in a closed space, even a few minutes a day next to someone smoking is harmful to health. This secondhand smoke can lead to serious problems in the future.