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02 March, 2014

Passive smoking

"There are six components of wellness: proper weight and diet, proper exercise, breaking the smoking habit, control of alcohol, stress management and periodic exams"- Kenneth H. Cooper

This year I committed that I would not even be a passive smoker or a second hand smoker. My health is my responsibility. We can enjoy life only till we are fit and healthy. Otherwise, everything comes to a standstill. Breathing in someone else’s cigarette smoke (passive smoking or secondhand smoking) can increase your risk of cancer and other health problems. When someone smokes a cigarette, the smoke from the burning tip is released into the air. So is the smoke they breathe out. Smoke can stay in the air for up to two and a half hours even with a window open. It may still be there even if you can’t see it or smell it. This also applies in small enclosed places, such as cars. Smoke may still be present in large amounts even after the person has stopped smoking.


Risks of passive smoking

Passive smoking can damage your body because secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, many of which are irritants and toxins, and some of which are known to cause cancer.
Second-hand smoke causes many of the same diseases as direct smoking, including cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, breast cancer, Renal cell carcinoma, Brain tumor, Ear, nose, and throat infections and respiratory diseases. There is a  increase the risk of atherosclerosis, asthma, risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.