World No Tobacco Day 2022: Not only do the lethal risks apply to first-hand smokers (tobacco users), but are equally unfavorable for passive smokers. (Representational image: Shutterstock)
World No Tobacco Day 2022: Passive smoking, also known as second hand smoking, active smoking can prove to be a health hazard
World No Tobacco Day 2022: May 31st is World No Tobacco Day. WHO says that more than 8 million people die every year due to tobacco use. Therefore, Anti-Tobacco Day or World No Tobacco Day is an annual event initiated by the WHO to emphasize the devastating, deadly effects of tobacco use.
Both, direct tobacco use and its second-hand exposure, lead to a decline in acute lower respiratory tract infections and the “Big Five” respiratory diseases including asthma, lung cancer, tuberculosis, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. One thing to note is that we should not take passive smoking lightly.
Not only do the lethal risks apply to first-hand smokers (tobacco users), the harm is equally disproportionate to passive smokers. Passive smoking, also known as secondhand smoking, as well as active smoking can prove to be hazardous to health. The theme of this year’s World No Tobacco Day is ‘Protect the Environment’.
On World No Tobacco Day, let’s explore the dangers of passive smoking:
Dangers of secondhand smoking (SHS) in children:
- Passive smoking/SHS increases the chances of respiratory diseases (asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia) in children. Akid who spends the first 18 months of his life in a home of active tobacco use, develops the risk of acute respiratory disorder syndrome along with cold, cough, wheezing, breathlessness, asthma attacks, glue ear, reduced immunity.
- The lungs of children with SHS do not develop to full capacity.
- The risk of meningococcal disease is high.
- It causes sudden unexpected death in infants and fatal sleep accidents.
Dangers of SHS in adults:
- Partners living in the same smoky home develop a greater risk of coronary heart disease and stroke.
- Passive smoking makes the blood more viscous and increases the chances of clots and heart attacks.
- Progressive blockage of blood vessels, build-up of fatty substances, plaques. Exposure to SHS for only 30 minutes causes irregular blood flow in the vessels. Prolonged exposure leads to atherosclerosis.
- Lowers the level of antioxidants, vitamins in the blood.
- There is an increased risk of nasal sinus cancer, throat, larynx, breast cancer, decreased lung function, and other respiratory diseases.
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