What happens when you second hand smoke?

When you secondhand smoke, also known as involuntary smoking or passive smoking, you breathe in smoke from cigarettes, cigars, or pipes smoked by others. This smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, many of which are known carcinogens.

Inhaling secondhand smoke can cause a range of adverse health effects, including:

Increased risk of heart disease and stroke: The chemicals in secondhand smoke damage the heart and blood vessels, making you more likely to have a heart attack or stroke.

Increased risk of lung cancer and other respiratory problems: Secondhand smoke can irritate the lungs and airways, causing coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. It can also increase your risk of lung cancer, as well as other respiratory problems such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

Other health problems: Secondhand smoke can also lead to a variety of other health problems, including:

* Eye irritation

* Ear infections

* Asthma attacks

* Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

* Low birth weight

* Developmental problems in children

secondhand smoke is especially harmful to children and infants. Their lungs are still developing and they are more vulnerable to the harmful chemicals in smoke. Children who are exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to have respiratory problems, ear infections, and asthma. They are also more likely to become smokers themselves as adults.

Protecting yourself and your loved ones from secondhand smoke is important. This includes:

* Asking smokers to smoke outside.

* Not allowing smoking in your home, car, or workplace.

* Avoiding places where smoking is allowed.

* Quitting smoking if you are a smoker.