Secondhand Smoke Research Paper

Secondhand smoke contains thousands of harmful chemicals, that may cause cancer. Nonsmokers who breathe in secondhand smoke take in nicotine, by the same way smokers do. It may cause diseases in children and in adults who do not smoke. Secondhand smoke is a serious health hazard that causes 50,000 deaths per year. Secondhand smoke, also known as environmental tobacco smoke, is especially harmful to children and babies because their lungs are still developing. Millions of children breath in secondhand smoke in their own homes. A child can be harmed if the mother of an unborn child is exposed to secondhand smoke when they are pregnant, their baby is exposed to harmful chemicals just as the mother is. This may lead to serious health issues for the baby, like a miscarriage or premature birth. 71,900 babies annually have a lower birth weight than expected. Sudden infant death syndrome and hyperactivity disorders are also a result of unborn children being exposed to smoking. Children who breathe in secondhand can also have health issues such as, ear infections, bronchitis or pneumonia, tooth decay, and coughs or colds. Asthma is also more common in children being exposed to smoke, 200,000 ashamed attacks occur annually in kids who breath in secondhand smoke. …show more content…
Mainstream smoke is specifically the smoke that a smoker inhales and then exhales, while side stream smoke is the smoke floating from the end of a lit cigarette. Side stream smoke is responsible for 85 percent of secondhand smoke and it contains more cancer causing substances than mainstream smoke. Cancer causing chemicals include, Formaldehyde, Benzopyrene and Toluene. You can be exposed to second hand smoke in many places like in a car or bus, at a a friend’s house, in a restaurant, at the mall, at sporting events or concerts, and at parks. Those who are exposed to secondhand smoke are engaging in involuntary