It’s a clear fact that secondhand smoke is dangerous to nonsmokers.

As a known Group A carcinogen—a substance known to cause cancer in humans— there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. It contributes to 38,000 to 65,000 deaths in the U.S. each year and is the third leading cause of preventable death in the country. Every year, new studies continue to add to the long list of health risks associated with secondhand smoke.

What makes secondhand smoke so dangerous? Of the more than 4,000 chemical compounds in secondhand smoke, 200 are poisons, and more than 40 are Group A carcinogens. Chemicals like arsenic, carbon monoxide, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, and formaldehyde are just a few of the toxins lurking in secondhand smoke.

In addition, secondhand smoke:

• Contributes to cancer, heart disease, emphysema, stroke, chronic bronchitis, and asthma
• Causes or aggravates respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia and bronchitis, especially in infants, children, and older people
• Increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome and middle ear infections in children
• Is a major, sometimes fatal, threat to people with asthma
• Causes 30 times as many lung cancer deaths as all regulated air pollutants combined

For more information on how to make your home or property smoke-free, download our Smoke-Free Housing Toolkit for residents or for property managers and owners.

Read why secondhand smoke is a serious issue in apartments.

Additional Information

• Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights • Surgeon General’s Report on Health Consequences of Secondhand Smoke