There is no doubt about the dangers of smoking to health. Not only people who smoke, passive smokers or people who inhale cigarette smoke are also at risk of various serious diseases. Therefore, steps to avoid exposure to secondhand smoke need to be taken.
Cigarette smoke contains about 7,000 harmful chemicals, such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and benzene. If exposed continuously, cigarette smoke can cause damage to cells and body tissues and cause health problems for anyone who inhales it.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are at least 8 million deaths caused by cigarette smoke and 1.2 million cases of which occur in passive smoking.
Bad Effects of Cigarette Smoke for Passive Smokers
The adverse effects caused by cigarette smoke generally vary, depending on the age and condition of the person who becomes a passive smoker. Here is the explanation:
Effects of cigarette smoke on adults
Frequent inhalation of cigarette smoke, can increase the risk of lung cancer by 20–30%. In addition, passive smokers are also more at risk of experiencing various other serious diseases, such as atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure.
Both active smokers and passive smokers are also more at risk of experiencing more severe COVID-19 symptoms, if their bodies are infected with the Corona virus.
The impact of cigarette smoke on pregnant women
Pregnant women who are exposed to secondhand smoke are at higher risk of complications, such as miscarriage, premature birth, or babies born with low birth weight.
This is because harmful substances in cigarette smoke, such as nicotine and carbon monoxide, can be carried by the bloodstream and absorbed by the fetus. The more often pregnant women inhale cigarette smoke every day, the higher the risk of complications and health problems that can occur.
Effects of cigarette smoke on children
Babies and children who often inhale cigarette smoke are at greater risk of experiencing the following health problems:
- Asthma
- Middle ear infection
- Respiratory tract infections, such as ARI, pneumonia and bronchitis
- Allergy
- Meningitis
- Sudden infant death syndrome
Not only has an impact on health, children who become passive smokers are also more prone to developing growth disorders and learning difficulties. This can affect the level of intelligence of children.
In addition, parents who smoke can also set a bad example for their children and it is not impossible that the child will become a smoker when he grows up.
Therefore, every parent should stop smoking so that this bad habit is not followed by children and interferes with their health.
Tips to Avoid Cigarette Smoke
Currently, many public places provide a special room for active smokers, so as not to expose non-smokers to the smoke. However, that alone is not enough to protect you and those around you from exposure to secondhand smoke.
In order not to become passive smokers, here are some ways you can do it:
- Remind politely when you see smokers smoking everywhere
- Avoid gathering with smokers and better find a place that has fresh air and is free from cigarette smoke
- Prohibit people from smoking in the house so that you and your family members who don't smoke are free from exposure to secondhand smoke
- Choose a smoke-free room when in a public place, such as a shop, cafe, or office
- Use a mask when leaving the house to reduce exposure to cigarette smoke
Everyone should be aware of the dangers of cigarette smoke to health. Not because one person smokes, many people are threatened with dangerous diseases because of smoking.
If you are a passive smoker and begin to feel complaints or health problems due to cigarette smoke, consult a doctor to get the necessary examination and treatment.