Secondhand Smoke
When a person smokes near you, you breathe secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke is the combination of smoke from the burning end of the cigarette and the smoke breathed out by smokers. When you breathe secondhand smoke, it is like you are smoking.Whether you are young or old, healthy or sick, secondhand smoke is dangerous.
What we know about secondhand smoke- There is no safe amount of secondhand smoke. Breathing even a little secondhand smoke can be dangerous.
- Breathing secondhand smoke can cause sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
- Children are also more likely to have lung problems, ear infections and severe asthma from being around smoke.
- Secondhand smoke causes heart disease and lung cancer.
- Separate “no smoking” sections DO NOT protect you from secondhand smoke. Neither does filtering the air or opening a window.
- The State of Ohio has a smoke-free indoor air law to protect Ohioans from secondhand smoke at work and in public indoor places. Learn more about the Smoke-Free Ohio Law.
What you can do to protect yourself and your family from secondhand smoke
- If you are a smoker, take steps to quit smoking.
- Take a pledge to not allow smoking in your home or in your car. The EPA’s “Smoke-Free Home” program provides a certificate that you can post in your home. This can make it easier for you to remind visitors to your home that smoking isn’t allowed.
- Report violations of Smoke-Free Ohio. Click here to report an incident of smoking in a bar, restaurant or other workplace in Ohio.
