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What Is the ETS in Cigarettes?

ETS is short for environmental tobacco smoke. Commonly known as secondhand smoke, ETS is a combination of the smoke exhaled by a smoker and sidestream smoke (smoke generated by the burning paper and tobacco at the end of a cigarette). Studies increasingly show the danger of smoking to nearby nonsmokers, leading state governments to implement stricter regulations.

  1. Official Status of ETS

    • The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Toxicology Program and the International Agency for Research on Cancer have all declared ETS to be a known carcinogen. The Surgeon General has concluded that separate smoking and nonsmoking sections and ventilating buildings does not remove the risk of smoking to nearby nonsmokers. The only way to fully protect nonsmokers from the effects of smokers is to eliminate smoking from indoor spaces.

    Chemical Composition of ETS

    • ETS contains thousands of chemicals---more than 250 of which are known to be carcinogens (chemicals that cause cancer) such as formaldehyde and benzene. Toxic metals such as chromium, arsenic and lead can also be found in ETS in addition to gases like ammonia, butane and carbon monoxide.

    Exposure to ETS in the U.S.

    • Exposure to ETS can be determined by checking people for a chemical called cotinine. According to a report by the Surgeon General, cotinine levels fell by 70 percent from 1988 to 2002. In 2006, 43 percent of adult nonsmokers contained detectable amounts of cotinine. Exposure to ETS was higher in children aged 3 to 11, at nearly 60 percent.

    Health Risks for Children

    • According to the Surgeon General, breathing even a little secondhand smoke can be dangerous, particularly to young people. It has been linked to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and increases the chances for lung problems, ear infections and asthma in children. Secondhand smoke can also cause respiratory infections like bronchitis and pneumonia. Mothers who are exposed to ETS are more likely than those who are not to give birth to infants with lower birth rates.

    Health Risks for Adults

    • Adults are also affected by exposure to ETS. The negative consequences of this exposure include a greater chance of becoming sick and a higher risk of heart disease and lung cancer. ETS affects the way someone's blood and heart work, causing blood platelets to become stickier, damaging blood vessels and reducing heart rate variability. Adults who breathe 5 hours of secondhand smoke a day have higher bad cholesterol than those who don't. People with heart disease are particularly vulnerable to ETS.

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