The first thing to mention in association with the environment is the second hand smoke. Second hand smoking means inhaling tobacco smoke, but not out of a cigarette but out of the air. This article will discuss the harmful effects of second hand smoking on the environment.
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Studies have shown, that second hand smoking carries serious health risks, especially for people who are exposed to tobacco smoke on a regular basis. We all know this discussion but as a matter of fact it is absolutely legitime that non-smokers sense the involuntary inhalation of tobacco smoke as disturbing or even as annoyance. Smokers cannot comprehend that feeling, as the addiction to nicotine makes them think that people who feel disturbed by tobacco smoke do just not want to grant smokers their "good feeling", but believe me, this is not the point. Non-smokers don’t have problems with smokers as persons, they just don’t want to inhale all the smoke from the air. |
Generally second hand smoking has the same harmful health effects as smoking. Only the amount of the toxic substances that are being inhaled are a little bit lower. The risk of diseases is lower too, but never the less second hand smoking is risky too! Studies in Puerto Rico have shown, that second hand smoking comes together with a lack of vitamin c, which is dangerous especially for children as they need much more of it for the growing process. Di Franza et Lew have proven in 1996 that the risk of respiratory diseases is at 1,5% for children of smokers. The risk of an apopleptic stroke is 18% higher for non-smokers who are exposed to tobacco smoke on a regular basis. Sitting in a pub where smoking is allowed is just like smoking 12 cigarettes an hour.
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The risk for children and for unborn children is much higher than for adult non-smokers. Smoking during the pregnancy doubles the risk of a sudden infant death and of a preterm birth. An increased amount if nicotine receptors in the body increases the probability for a later addiction to nicotine. The exposure of children to tobacco smoke comes together with a declerated physical and mental development. Children suffering from asthma suffer from more asthma attack when they are being exposed to tobacco smoke. Many parents smoke in front of their children, though they know, that their children are taking serious damage. Studies have proven that smoking in closed rooms is a health hazard that can have deadly consequences. Second hand smoke increases the risk of cancer and harms children and adolescents. This is the main reason for the prohibition of cigarettes in all public buildings. |
In 2004 the American Lung Association counted 3.000 people who died from lung cancer and 35.000 people who died from cardiovascular diseases, that can be lead back to the inhalation of second hand smoke. Critics of the study like some politicians, smoker associations and scientists with good connections to the tobacco industry, criticise the study because of a supposed false methodology and interpretation of numbers. They say the results are not statistically significant. They also presume that the study was not made to protect non-smokers, but to reduce the tobacco consumption.
Today we all know, that second hand smoking is something very harmful. This for the best we can do for our children and our fellow men is to stop smoking as soon as possible, or if we can’t do that then at least try to protect them from smoking involuntarily. If you are sick of this habit, if you don’t want to endanger you and your loved ones anymore, then maybe we can help you!
On SmokefreeACES.com you will find a section full of methods tips and tricks on how to stop smoking. Additionally we have prepared an eye-opening E-Book, the "Smoker Smack Report", which will help you start your smoking cessation and endure for the first 7 days so you can stop smoking for good!
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