Second hand smoke

Who is smoking with you?

When you smoke inside your house or car, everyone around you is exposed to harmful secondhand tobacco smoke, including children, babies, other adults and pets.

Did you know?

Most secondhand smoke is invisible and odourless, so even if you can’t see or smell any smoke, it’s probably still there
Cigarette smoke contains over 4000 chemicals and over 50 of these chemicals cause cancer
People who breathe secondhand smoke are at risk of many of the same diseases as smokers, including cancer and heart disease
Babies and children exposed to secondhand smoke are more at risk of cot death, asthma, chest and ear infections
Pregnant women exposed to secondhand smoke can pass on the harmful chemicals to their unborn child
It’s against the law to smoke in a private vehicle if there’s a young person under 18 present

Vapour from electronic cigarettes

Vaping doesn’t produce tobacco smoke so the risks of breathing secondhand smoke don’t apply. However, the limited evidence we have suggests any risk from passive vaping to bystanders is small, relative to that of breathing in secondhand tobacco smoke.

What are the benefits of making my home and car smokefree?

Your house is cleaner, no dropped ash or cigarette butts and smells fresher
Reduces the risk of cigarette related fires
Protects family, friends and pets from illnesses caused by secondhand smoke
You may smoke less by going outside. This could make stopping smoking in the future easier and more likely you’ll stay stopped
Young people living in smoking households are more likely to smoke. Be a role model by not smoking around them or stop smoking altogether

How do I make my home smokefree?

Opening windows or doors, smoking in one room or smoking out of a window or door won’t get rid of the tobacco smoke, so . . . .

Always smoke outside – close doors and windows so the smoke doesn’t drift back inside
Never smoke in the car
Wear a coat or jacket whilst outside that you can take off before coming back inside
Ask family and friends to stick to the smokefree house rule

For further information click on the link below:

Passive smoking - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

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