Numerous scientific investigations have shown that second-hand smoke, which is a mixture of sidestream smoke and mainline smoke inhaled by the smoker, causes sickness. There are at least 40 compounds in sidestream smoke that have been discovered as having a deleterious impact on human health, such as immune system dysfunction, liver damage, cardiac arrhythmias, pulmonary edema, and neurological dysfunction. Furthermore, it has been discovered that second-hand smoke contains at least 250 chemicals that are hazardous, carcinogenic or both. Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), N-nitrosamines, aromatic amines, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde are some of the most common carcinogens found in second-hand smoke.
Tobacco and second-hand smoke are both known to cause cancer. Individuals who do not use tobacco can develop lung cancer as a result of second-hand smoke exposure. Nonsmokers who live with someone who smokes in the house have a 30 percent higher risk of lung cancer than nonsmokers who are not consistently exposed to second-hand smoke. second-hand smoke has a particularly negative impact on children.
Children who live with a smoker in the house have a greater rate of lower respiratory infections, which are linked to hospitalizations, as well as a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In addition, second-hand smoking in the house has been related to an increase in the number of ear infections in children, as well as the exacerbation of asthma symptoms.