Secondhand Smoke

Next worst thing to smoking, is inhaling the smoke from the smoker. In some cases it has been seen it can be equivalent to smoking. The definition of secondhand smoke, “t is a mixture of 2 forms of smoke that come from burning tobacco: side stream smoke (smoke that comes from the end of a lighted cigarette, pipe, or cigar) and mainstream smoke (smoke that is exhaled by a smoker).” (http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ped/content/ped_10_2x_secondhand_smoke-clean_indoor_air.asp).

Just being around a smoker, you might as well call your self a smoker as well, because “ Non-smokers who breathe in secondhand smoke take in nicotine and other toxic chemicals just like smokers do. The more secondhand smoke you are exposed to, the higher the level of these harmful chemicals in your body.” (http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ped/content/ped_10_2x_secondhand_smoke) -clean_indoor_air.asp). It is actually the passive smoker that will get the toxins more than a the actual smoker, because the smoker has exhaled them and you breathe it into your system, “Secondhand smoke is classified as a "known human carcinogen" (http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ped/content/ped_10_2x_secondhand_smoke) -clean_indoor_air.asp).

So next time you are next to a smoker, ask them to put their cigarettes out, or move yourself as far as you can. In some cases you may not be able to, such as in restaurants. Some states are still fighting to get no smoking signs installed in more public places and have it enforced more to. IUPUI campus is an example it wasn’t till last year that the no smoking signs were actually installed and enforced more. Yet, people still do not abide by it, and will stand right next to the sign and smoke. It is very selfish, if the smoker does not care bout their own health then they should about others and not smoke around others.