Can you get lung cancer from second hand smoke?

Yes, secondhand smoke can cause lung cancer.

The U.S. Surgeon General has concluded that there is conclusive evidence that secondhand smoke causes lung cancer in nonsmokers. Secondhand smoke is the smoke exhaled by a smoker, as well as the smoke that comes from the end of a burning cigarette, cigar, or pipe. It contains over 7,000 chemicals, many of which are known carcinogens (cancer-causing substances).

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and secondhand smoke is a major risk factor for the disease. In fact, the Surgeon General estimates that secondhand smoke causes approximately 7,300 lung cancer deaths in nonsmokers each year in the United States. This is more than the number of lung cancer deaths caused by asbestos, radon, and air pollution combined.

Secondhand smoke can also cause other serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, asthma, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of secondhand smoke, as their lungs are still developing.

If you are exposed to secondhand smoke, you should take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones. You can do this by:

* Asking smokers to smoke outside

* Not allowing smoking in your home or car

* Avoiding places where people are smoking

* Encouraging smokers to quit

If you are a smoker, you should quit for the sake of your health and the health of your loved ones. There are many resources available to help you quit, including smoking cessation medications, counseling, and support groups.