The Facts

What is secondhand smoke?

Secondhand smoke is also known as Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS). It is a mixture of the smoke given off by the burning of tobacco products (sidestream smoke) and smoke exhaled by smokers (mainstream smoke).

The Facts About Secondhand Smoke

Smoke from cigarettes, cigars, and pipes contain more than 4000 different chemicals including several that cause cancer. Every year an estimated 790 South Carolinians die from exposure to secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke is classified as a Group A carcinogen by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  This means it has been shown to cause cancer in people. There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.  Even brief exposure to secondhand smoke is harmful and has immediate, adverse health effects. Separating smokers from nonsmokers or using air filtration and ventilation equipment does not eliminate the health risks.

                                                                          (Ref. Office of the US Surgeon General)

 

Factsheets provided by U.S. Centers for Disease Control.