Passive smoking - A developing menace

Passive smoking (also known as second hand smoking) is a really harmful part of our daily lives and if one is not cautious enough, then it can have serious health effects on anyone. In fact, it would not be surprising to say that the problems which are faced by a regular passive smoker are almost the same as that of a regular smoker. The health problems of passive smoking are indeed comparable to the serious health problems associated with normal smoking.

What exactly is passive smoking?

Passive smoking is actually the act which a non smoker usually unknowingly commits by inhaling the smoke that a smoker has exhaled. Passive smoke is the smoke that continues to linger in the air, especially in closed rooms which are not aired properly and when another person enters such an environment, then it is but natural that he or she will breathe and in the process, breathes in, a lot of toxins from the air including tobacco.

Where all does passive smoking occur?

The most common place where passive smoking happens are restaurants and bars. Even though most have non-smoking areas, the atmosphere knows no boundaries and the smoke eventually fills the room. Most people have a tendency to smoke while they are eating or drinking and as a result they smoke more than they would do in any other place. So the people around these smokers have to suffer. Fortunately, most bar and restaurant owners have woken up to this fact and have started banning
smoking in public places.
Other places include concerts, public places such as parks, offices, play grounds and transport systems.Howeve governments of various countries around the world are trying to pass legislations which aim to ban smoking in public places.

Apart from this, many people are exposed to smoke in their own homes. For example, the wife of a man who smokes regularly is a regular passive smoker herself when she spends time with him. Even his children are exposed to this harm smoke.

Health problems associated with passive smoking

The serious health problems which are associated with smoking are widely known. However, those associated with passive smoking or second hand smoking are equally undeniable. Most of these risks are much the same as those of smoking firsthand. Some health problems which are caused due to passive smoking have been listed below. Most of them are the results of extensive research and studies coupled with surveys carried out by global medical institutions and many national ones. Several international universities have also participated in them.

• Passive smoking causes more than 40,000 deaths amongst non smokers every year.
• Passive smoking makes almost 60,000 people more susceptible to heart ailments.
• Higher rates of respiratory problems, lung problems and breathing problems are known to caused due to passive smoking.
• Studies have indicated that passive smoking results in higher blood pressure, hypertension, weight gain, erratic diet and lack of sleep. These are common ailments experienced by smokers.
• Second hand smoke is also responsible for more than 10,000 cases of asthma each year.
• Passive smoking also effects pregnant women severely if they are continously exposed to it. Stillbirths, miscarriages and abortions due to complications have often been reported in pregnant women who are exposed to second hand smoke.

Evidently, the severe and harmful effects of passive smoking cannot be overlooked, particularly when it comes to women and children. Smokers argue that it is their wish that when they want to smoke and where they want to smoke, it should be upto them. But when this habit of smoking jeopardizes the health or even life of others, then it stands not as a medical or personal issue, but as a social issue. Being responsible humans, it is upto every one of us to ensure that no smoker harms the health some other person trying to live a healthy life. It is time we did away with passive smoking.